SXQWM 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

Biology  Library 

BEQUEST  OF 


Theodore  S.  Palmer 


/o,    /y/o 


No.   12. 


REPORT 


OF  THE 


WEST  VIRGINIA 

State  Board  of  Agriculture, 


FOR   THE 


Quarter  Ending  December  31,  1908. 


Entered  April  13,   1906,  at  the  Post  Office.  Charleston,  \V.    Va.,  as  second- 
class  matter,  under  Act  of  Congress  June  6,  1900. 


List  of  Birds  Found  in  West  Virginia 


Charleston 

The  Tribune  Printing  Co. 
1909 


DOCUMENTS  DLPRHIWENT 

APR  ^C  '& 


LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY  O^CA 


ROSE-BREASTED     GROSBEAK 

(UPPER  FIGURE,  MALE;   LOWER  FIGURE,  FEMALE) 

Order— PASSERES  Family— FRINGILLID/E 

Genus— ZAMELODIA  Species— LUDOVICIANA 


No.  12. 


REPORT 


OF  THE 


WEST  VIRGINIA 

State  Board  of  Agriculture, 


FOR  THE 


Quarter  Ending  December  31,  1908. 


Entered  April  13,  1906,  at  the  Post  Office,  Charleston,  W.  Va.,  as  second- 
class  matter,  under  Act  of  Congress  June  6,  1900. 


List  of  Birds  Found  in  West  Virginia 


c.  ,k>M 

0 


Charleston 

The  Tribune  Printing  Co. 
1909 


DOCUMENTS  DEPARTMENT 

APR  2c  1956 


LIBRARY 
JNIVERSITY  pr  CAHFnsiu.fl 


WEST  VIRGINIA 
STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE, 

1908. 


MEMBERS. 

E.  J.  HUMPHREY,  Belleville,  Wood  County. 
M.  V.  BBOWN,  Buffalo,  Putnam  County. 
ABBAM  McCoLLOcn,  Clinton,  Ohio  County. 
W.  D.  ZINN,  Philippi,  Barbour  County. 
R.  E.  THRASHER,  Maxwelton,  Greenbrier  County. 
CHAS.  P.  LIGHT,  Martinsburg,  Berkeley  County. 
H.  A.  HARTLEY,  Masontown,  Preston  County. 


OFFICERS. 

E.  J.  HUMPHREY,  President Belleville. 

J.  B.  GARVIN,  Secretary-Treasurer Charleston. 

IRENE  C.  DICK,  Assistant  Secretary, Charleston. 


CONSULTING  MEMBERS. 

DB.  K.  C.  ATKESON,  Buffalo,  Putnam  County,  Consulting  Veterinarian. 
DB.  J.  C.  CALLANDEB,  Parkersburg,  Wood  County,      " 
DB.  L.  N.  REEFEB,  Wheeling,  Ohio  County, 
DB.  G.  A.  REVEBCOMB,  Ronceverte,  Greenbrier  Co.,    " 
DB.  W.  M.  STANLEY,  Charles  Town,  Jefferson  Co.,    " 
H.  L.  SMITH,  Martinsburg,  Berkeley  Co.,  Horticulturist 
T.  C.  ATKESON,  PH.  D.,  Morgantown,  Agriculturist. 
H.  C.  HOWE,  Farkersburg,  Wood  County,  Meteorologist 
R.  L.  MOBBIS,  Morgantown,  Civil  Engineer. 
J.  R.  WELLS,  Ben's  Run,  Tyler  County,  Dairyman. 
S.  W.  MOOBE,  Elwell,  Mason  County,  Pomologist 
HOBACE  ATWOOD,  M.  S.,  Agr.  Poultryman. 
T.  K.  MASSIE,  Tophet,  Summers  County,  Apiarian. 


C^logue  for  BtoL  lib 

£*; 


INTRODUCTION. 


W4S7 
B;<?l. 

lii 


The  purpose  of  this  brief  descriptive  list  of  the  birds  in  the  exhibit 
of  the  State  Board  of  Agriculture,  is  to  enable  all  who  are  interested 
in  the  bird-life  of  our  state  to  use  this  collection  to  the  very  best  ad- 
vantage. 

The  birds  have  been  collected,  mounted,  and  placed  on  exhibition 
in  these  rooms,  and  should  be  prized  by  those  who  have  opportunity  to 
study  them.  Few  states  have  better  collections.  By  additions,  which 
we  hope  to  make  from  time  to  time,  the  list  will  soon  be  complete, 
representing  all  the  species  and  sub-species  of  birds  that  are  found  in 
West  Virginia. 

The  total  list  of  birds,  which  the  writer  has  compiled,  includes 
about  two  hundred  and  fifty  species  that  have  been  found  by  himself 
and  other  bird  students  within  the  borders  of  the  state.  There  is  no 
doubt  that,  after  some  years  of  observation,  our  list  of  West  Virginia 
birds  may  include  as  many  as  three  hundred  species  and  sub-species. 
If  this  collection  of  331  specimens,  representing  193  species  and  sub- 
species of  West  Virginia  birds,  is  used  as  it  should  be,  it  will  be  such 
a  help  to  those  who  seek  to  know  more  of  the  birds  of  our  state  that 
many  persons  will  soon  become  interested,  will  be  on  the  lodk-out  for 
birds  both  common  and  rare,  and  will  soon  swell  the  list  of  our  own 
native  birds  to  far  more  than  250. 

When  any  one  is  interested  in  any  particular  species  in  this  col- 
lection, and  has  a  desire  to  know  something  of  its  distribution,  nest- 
ing, and  food-habits,  let  him  note  the  number  on  the  bird,  then  find 
the  corresponding  number  in  the  catalogue.  With  that  number  will 
be  found  a  brief  note  on  the  bird  and  its  habits.  If  further  informa- 
tion be  desired,  let  him  take  some  good  book  on  birds,  like  Chapman's 
"Hand-book  of  Birds"  (D.  Appleton  and  Co.,  Xew  York  City),  and, 
under  the  same  number,  he  will  find  a  full  description  of  the  species 
under  study.  For  instance,  the  number  attached  to  the  pair  of  Cardi- 
nals, or  Eed  Birds,  in  the  collection  is  593.  By  turning  to  number 
593  in  the  catalogue,  a  brief  description  of  th£  distribution,  nesting 
habits  and  food-habits  of  this  beautiful  bird  may  be  found.  Then, 
by  turning  to  the  same  number  (593)  in  any  good  book  on  birds, 

964 


WEST  VIBGISIA  [W.  VA. 


any  additional  information  that  may  be  desired  will  be  found.  Use 
the  catalogue  carefully,  and  preserve  it  for  future  study.  Note,  in 
the  marginal  spaces,  your  own  observations  on  the  habits  of  the  var- 
ious species. 

I  am  under  obligations  to  all  those  whose  notes,  books,  and  papers 
I  have  used  in  preparing  this  list.  I  wish  to  express  my  thanks 
to  them,  and  to  all  who  have  helped  in  preparing  this  catalogue  and 
the  collection  which  it  describes. 

Weston,  West  Virginia, 
December,  1908. 


A  DESCKIPTIVE  CATALOGUE 

—OF  THE 

BIEDS     IX    THE     ORXITHOLOGICAL    EXHIBIT 

— OF   THE — 

WEST  VIEGIXIA  STATE  BOARD  OF  AGRICULTURE. 


BY  EARLE  A.  BROOKS. 


3.  Horned  Grebe  (Colymbm  auritus).  This  specimen  is  an  adult 
in  winter  plumage.  Much  more  beautifully  colored  in  summer. 

Geog.  Dist. — Found  throughout  the  northern  hemisphere. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Xot  at  all  uncommon  during  migration.  A  fine 
adult  in  full  plumage  was  taken  alive  at  Weston,  Apr.  19,  1907.  May 
be  found  along  any  of  our  rivers  or  larger  streams.  Mr,  T.  A.  Morgan 
says,  "Have  killed  many  of  them  in  August."  (These  specimens 
taken  by  Mr.  Morgan  were  found  along  the  Great  Kanawha  River.) 

Xest — Breeds  in  northern  U.  S.  and  northward.  Floating  nest, 
among  rushes  in  sloughs  and  ponds. 

Food — Fish  and  other  aquatic  animals. 

6.  Pied-billed  Grebe  (Podilymbus  podiceps}.  An  adult  bird  and 
a  young  bird  represent  this  common  species  in  the  collection.  By 
means  of  these  two  specimens  the  student  can  identify  the  "Dab- 
chick"  with  little  difficulty. 

Geog.  Dist. — Found  throughout  nearly  all  of  Xorth  and  South 
America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Common  on  the  Ohio  River  and  along  many  of  our 
streams.  For  some  time  one  day  I  watched  two  Pied-billed  Grebes 
busily  searching  for  food  under  a  bridge  which  crosses  Bull  Creek 


(NOTE  : — The  numbers  preceding  the  names  are  the  numbers  used  in  the  Amer- 
ican Ornithologists'  Union's  check-list,  and  are  given  here  for  convenience  in  re- 
ferring to  any  standard  book  on  birds.  Few  abbreviations  are  used.  "Geog.  Dist." 
stands  for  the  general  distribution  of  a  given  species.  "W.  Va.  Dist."  stands  at 
the  head  of  the  paragraph  which  gives  the  distribution  of  a  species  in  West 
Virginia.) 


WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


near  the  point  where  it  empties  into  the  Ohio.  Mr.  Thad.  S-urber 
says  this  species  is  common  about  White  Sulphur  Springs  in  Green- 
brier  County.  This  species  has  been  seen  frequently  on  French  Creek, 
a  small  stream  in  Upshur  County. 

Nest — Breeds  throughout  its  range.  I  do  not  know  that  the  nest 
of  this  bird  has  ever  been  found  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — Fish  and  aquatic  life  of  other  kinds. 

7.  Loon  (Gavia  imber).  The  two  birds  in  the  collection  repre- 
sent the  summer  and  winter  plumage  of  this  fine  water-fowl. 

Geog.  Dist.' — Northern  North  America. 

W.  Va,  Dist.— Found  only  as  a  migrant.    Quite  common  at  times. 

Nest — Breeds  from  our  northern  states  northward.  Nest  in  a 
slight  depression  in  the  ground  near  some  lake  or  pond. 

Food— Fish. 

11.     Red-throated  Loon   (Gavia  lumme).     We  are  fortunate  in 
having  one  specimen  of  this  northern  bird  in  our  collection. 
Geog.  Dist. — Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere. 
W.  Ya.  Dist. — Very  rare  in  West  Virginia. 
Nest — Breeds  from  Canadian  provinces  northward. 
Food— Fish. 

54.  Ring-billed  Gull  (Larus  delaivarensis) .  This  is  an  adult,  and 
suggests  the  beautiful  colors  and  graceful  forms  of  all  the  Gulls. 

Geog.  Dist. — Interior  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.— Reported  by  Mr.  Surber  from  White  Sulphur 
Springs.  Rare  in  this  state. 

Nest— Breeds  from  southern  Minnesota  northward.   Nest  on  ground. 

Food— Gathers  food  of  many  kinds  from  surface  of  land  and  water. 
Often  feeds  on  insects. 

60.  Bonaparte's  Gull  (Larus  Philadelphia).  The  two  specimens 
in  this  collection  fairly  represent  this  interesting  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — Whole  of  Nortli  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — On  Apr.  15,  1905,  I  saw  seventy-five  of  these  birds 
flying  low  over  the  Ohio  River  (  See  West  Virginia  School  Journal, 
June,  1905).  Rev.  G.  Eifrig  has  seen  this  species  along  the  Potomac 
near  Cumberland. 

Nest — Nest  on  stumps,  bushes,  trees.     Breeds  north  of  U.  S. 

Food- — Different  forms  of  life  along  water-ways. 


1908]  BIRDS.  7 

70.     Common  Tern   (Sterna  hirundo).     Two  specimens. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  part  of  North  America  and  Africa. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Eare  in  West  Virginia. 

Nest- — For  account  of  nesting,  etc.,  see  "Camps  and  Cruises  of  an 
Ornithologist",  by  Frank  M.  Chapman  (D.  Appleton  and  Co.,  New 
York  City.  $3.00). 

Food— Small  fish. 

77.  Black  Tern  (Hydroclielidon  nigra  Surinam ensis] .  The  differ- 
ence in  the  color  of  the  adult  and  young  is  shown  in  these  two  speci- 
mens. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  and  tropical  North  America. 

W.  Ta.  Dist.— On  May  30,  1901,  Eev.  G.  Eifrig  saw  a  female  Black 
Tern  on  the  "Swamp  Ponds'7,  Mineral  County.  Mr.  A.  Sidney  Morgan 
says  he  has  killed  several  of  these  birds  along  the  Great  Kanawha. 

Nest — Breeds  in  interior  North  America.   Nest  in  marshy  places. 

Food — Dragon  flies  and  other  aquatic  insects. 

120.  Double-crested  Cormorant  (Phalacrocorax  auritus).  These 
two  specimens  show  in  a  striking  way  the  rich  plumage  and  the  char- 
acteristic poses  of  the  Cormorants. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Eeported  by  the  Morgan  brothers  from  the  Great 
Kanawha  Eiver.  The  writer  has  in  his  posession  a  Double-crested 
Cormorant  that  was  killed  on  the  Ohio  Eiver,  near  Waverly,  on  Christ- 
mas day,  1907. 

Nest — Breeds  from  Dakota  northward.  Nests  on  cliff-sides  and  in 
various  other  places. 

Food— Fish. 

129.  American  Merganser  (Mergus  americanus}.  The  very 
striking  difference  in  the  color  of  the  male  and  female  is  illustrated 
in  these  two  birds. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  few  West  Virginia  records  have  been  made  for  this 
fish-eating  duck.  Mr.  Surber  says  he  has  seen  it  on  the  Greenbrier 
Eiver.  Mr.  T.  A.  Morgan  says,  "Have  killed  three".  Mr.  Eifrig 
recorded  the  species  from  W.  Va. 

Nest — Breeds  from  Minnesota  northward.  Builds  its  nest  in  a  hole 
in  a  tree. 

Food — Fish  and  other  aquatic  forms  of  life. 


WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


131.  Hooded  Merganser  (Lophodytes  cucullatus).  Few  water  birds 
are  more  beautiful  than  the  Hooded  Merganser.    The  pair  of  birds  in 
this  collection  will  suggest  the  appearance  of  the  birds  when  in  life,  as 
they  may  be  seen  some  times  on  the  rivers  of  West  Virginia. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  generally. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — I  have  a  number  of  West  Virginia  records  for  this 
species.  At  Williamstown,  W.  Va:,  I  examined  a  fine  adult  male  of 
this  species  that  was  taken  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Stuart  on  Mar.  29,  1906. 

Nest — In  a  hollow  tree  or  stump  near  the  water. 

Food — Boots,  seeds,  &c. 

132.  Mallard  (Anas  platyrhynchos) .     Pair  of  adults. 
Geog.  Dist. — Northern  parts  of  northern  hemisphere. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  T.  Z.  Atkeson,  who  wrote,  in  1899,  a  thesis  en- 
titled "The  Water-Fowl  of  West  Virginia/'  says  of  this  species,  "The 
Mallard  is  perhaps  the  most  common  of  all  the  edible  water-fowl  that 
frequent  this  state.  During  the  spring  and  autumn  they  may  be  found 
on  any  of  our  principal  rivers." 

Nest — Breeds  in  northern  parts  of  U.  S.  and  northward. 

Food — A  few  days  ago  I  examined  a  Mallard  which  was  in  the  pos- 
session of  Mr.  E.  J.  Hughes,  Weston,  W.  Va.,  and  found  that  it  had 
been  feeding  on  large  numbers  of  little  clams.  These  mollusks  were 
about  the  size  of  a  large  pea,  and  the  duck  had  swallowed  them  sh«ll 
and  all.  Any  one  who  kn.ows  the  domestic  duck,  a  descendant  of  the 
Mallard,  has  observed  the  omnivorous  feeding  habits  of  the  species  un- 
der consideration. 

133.  Black  Duck  (Anas  rubripes).  Represented  in  the  collection 
by  a  single  male. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — The  Morgan  brothers,  who  have  studied  water-fowl 
so  carefully  along  Great  Kanawha  waters,  say  that  they  have  seen  this 
species  frequently.  Mr.  Eifrig  noted  the  Black  Duck  on  the  Potomac. 

Nest — Breeds  from  Illinois  northward.  No  certain  W.  Va.  breeding 
record. 

Food — Similar  to  that  of  the  Mallard. 

139.  Green-winged  Teal  (Anas  carolinensis) .  The  origin  of  the 
name  of  this  species  may  be  seen  by  a  glance  at  the  wings  of  the  male 
in  the  collection. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 


1908]  BIBDS.  9 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Eather  common  at  times  in  West  Virginia. 
Xest — Breeds  from  northern  TJ.  S.  northward. 
Food — Mollusks,  crustaceans,  insects. 

144.  Wood  Duck  (Aix  sponsa) .  "Aix"  means  duck,  and  "sponsa" 
may  be  translated,  arrayed  as  a  bride.  The  gorgeous  nuptial  plumes  of 
the  male  show  the  appropriateness  of  this  name.  How  could  a  bird 
be  more  beautifully  colored  than  is  this  "vanishing  game  bird"  ? 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Beported  from  many  points  in  West  Virginia.  Mr. 
W.  E.  D  Scott  says  that  it  was  common  in  Kanawha  County  when  he 
collected  there  with  the  Hon.  Wm.  S.  Edwards  more  than  thirty  yeara 
ago. 

Xest — The  only  duck  that  breeds  regularly  in  our  state.  The  Hon. 
Andrew  Price,  of  Marlinton,  says,  "A  few  years  ago  it  was  a  common 
sight  to  see  the  Wood  Duck  with  young  not  able  to  fly  on  the  Green- 
brier  River."  This  species  is  now  becoming  quite  rare. 

Food — Weed  seeds,  acorns,  wild  berries,  &c. 

148.  American  Scaup  Duck  (Marila  marila).  A  pair.  Commonly 
called  "Bluebill." 

Geog.  Dist. — Northern  part  of  northern  hemisphere. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  T.  A.  Morgan  and  other  observers  have  found 
that  this  species  is  far  more  common  along  Monongahela  and  Potomac 
waters  than  it  is  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state. 

Xest — Breeds  from  Manitoba  northward  to  Alaska.   Xest  on  ground. 

Food— Mollusks. 

163.  American  Scoter  (Oide.mia  americana) .  This  sea-duck  is 
represented  in  the  collection  by  both  male  and  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Coasts  and  larger  lakes  of  Xorth  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  rare  in  West  Virginia.     No  positive  record. 

Xest — Builds  nest  on  ground  near  water.  Found  from  Labrador 
northward  in  the  breeding  season. 

Food — "As  a  rule,  they  frequent  only  the  sea  and  its  estuaries,  where 
they  live  over  beds  of  mussels,  clams,  or  scallops,  which  they  obtain  by 
diving."  (Chapman.) 

172.  Canada  Goose  (Branta  canadensis] .  One  specimen  is  suf- 
ficient to  represent  this  species,  as  the  sexes  are  alike.  This  is  the  com- 
mon "wild  goose"  often  seen  in  migration  seasons. 


10  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — A  rather  common  migrant. 

Xest — Breeds  in  northern  U.  S.  and  British  provinces. 

Food — Vegetable  matter  of  different  kinds, 

180.  Whistling  Swan  (Olor  columbianus) .  This  large  white  bird 
must  always  be  distinguished  from  the  Trumpeter  Swan  which  is  a 
much  rarer  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — Xorth  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — This  species  has  been  taken  at  Buckhannon,  Ronce- 
verte,  and  at  other  points  in  West  Virginia.  Mr.  Wm.  D.  Doan,  who 
wrote  Bull.  Xo.  3  of  the  West  Virginia  Expt.  Sta.,  "The  Birds  of 
West  Virginia",  records  the  species  from  this  state. 

Xests — Xests  on  shores  of  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

Food — Vegetable  matter,  with  some  small  aquatic  animals. 

190.  American  Bittern   (Botaurus-  lentiginosus) .     One  specimen. 
The  rich  coloring  of  this  fine  bird  should  be  especially  noticed.    Mr. 
Bradford  Torrey  says,  "The  Bittern's  fame  rests  upon  its  vocal  per- 
formance, or  'boom'  ". 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  Xorth  America.. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — The  American  Bittern  has  been  seen  and  taken  in 
many  sections  of  West  Virginia. 

Xest — Mr.  T.  Z,  Atkeson  says,  "A  common  summer  resident ;  breed- 
ing in 'suitable  localities  in  different  parts  of  the  state."  I  have  never 
found  the  nest  of  this  bird. 

Food — Small  aquatic  animals. 

191.  Least  Bittern  (Ardetta  exilis).   A  pair  of  these  small  bitterns 
is  in  our  collection.     In  life  they  are  strange  in  appearance  and 
stranger  still  in  their  actions. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  and  tropical  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.— The  Morgan  brothers  say,  "Common,  and  have  caught 
several  alive."  Mr.  Eifrig  has  reported  this  species  from  the  Potomac 
River  valley. 

Xest — Builds  its  nest  in  marshy  places.    Breeds  in  eastern  U.  S. 

Food — Snails,  slugs,  frogs,  and  other  aquatic  animals. 

194.  Great  Blue  Heron  (Ardea  he-radios).  An  old  bird  and  a 
young  one  in  the  collection  show  the  difference  in  the  plumage  of 
adult  and  young.  This  is  the  species  that  is  so  frequently  called 


1908]  BIBDS.  11 

"crane'7.  A  stately  bird,  and  one  that  always  excites  curiosity  and 
arouses  interest  when  seen  flying  overhead,  or  hunting  for  food  along 
some  river. 

Geog.  Dist. — Xorthern  South  America  northward  to  the  Arctic  re- 
gions. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — I  have  found  this  great  bird  quite  common  in  Au- 
gust and  September  along  the  Ohio  River.  Mr.  Surber  says,  "For- 
merly a  few  bred  near  Falling  Springs  (Greenbrier  County)." 

Xests — Platform  of  sticks  in  trees.  Breeds  locally  throughout  much 
of  its  range. 

Food — Fish,  frogs,  reptiles,  small  mice,  etc. 

200.  Little  Blue  Heron  (Ai'dea  caerulea).    The  two  color  phases 
of  this  species  are  most  admirably  illustrated  in  the  two  specimens 
shown  here.  Compare  with  this  species  other  species  in  the  collection 
that  change  the  form  and  color  of  their  plumage  according  to  the  sea- 
son, and  for  various  reasons.    The  color  phases  of  some  of  these  birds 
are  very  perplexing. 

Geog.  Dist. — Tropical  and  temperate  America. 

\Y.  Ya.  Di^t. — Mr.  Sidney  Morgan  says,  "Very  common  in  July  and 
August,  1901.  One  remained  for  a  month.  Xone  before  nor  since." 
(This  note  refers  to  the  region  about  Poca,  Putnam  County,  on  the 
Great  Kanawha  Eiver).  Mr.  W.  E.  D.  Scott,  in  his  pamphlet  on  the 
birds  of  Kanawha  County,  says,  "Mr.  William  H.  Edwards  informed 
me  of  the  occurrence  of  this  species  several  times  in  this  vicinity." 

Xest — Gathers  in  colonies  and  builds  nests  of  sticks  in  bushes. 
Breeds  in  southern  IT.  S. 

Food — Aquatic  animals. 

201.  Green  Heron  (Ardea  virescen-s}.    These  are  beautiful  speci- 
mens, and  well  represent  the  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Tropical  and  temperate  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Very  common  and  reported  by  almost  every  bird 
student  who  has  given  attention  to  our  birds. 

Xest — Builds  its  nest  in  willow  trees  and  other  bushes  along  streams. 
I  have  found  a  number  of  the  nests  of  this  common  heron  in  various 
parts  of  our  state. 

Food — Like  that  of  the  other  herons  mentioned  above. 

202.  Black-crowned  Xight  Heron  (Nycticorax  nycticorax  naevins). 


12  WEST  VIBGIXIA  [W.  VA. 

Two  specimens ;  adult  and  young.  Notice  particularly  the  long  occipit- 
al plumes  on  the  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  and  South  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.—  Prof.  S.  B.  Brown,  of  the  West  Virginia  Univer- 
sity, tells  me  that  in  1895  three  of  these  birds  were  taken  on  Deck- 
er's Creek.  Rare. 

Nests — Colonial  in  breeding  season.  Nest  in  tall  trees.  Breeds 
throughout  greater  part  of  its  range. 

Food — Frogs,  &c. 

203.  Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron  (Nyctivorax  violaceus).  One 
adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Tropical  and  temperate  North  America  from  the  Car- 
olinas  and  lower  Ohio  valley  south  to  Brazil. 

W.  Va.  Dist— Exceedingly  rare  in  this  state.  I  have  no  positive 
record  of  its  occurrence  in  West  Virginia. 

Nest — Breeds  throughout  the  greater  portion  of  its  range.  Nest 
much  like  that  of  other  herons. 

Food — As  other  herons. 

208.     King  Rail  (Rtillus  elegans) .     One  adult  specimen. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  T.  A.  Morgan  says,  "One  taken  in  the  spring  of 
1901  at  Poca  Bottoms.  Found  bird  with  young  in  spring  of  1889.  Was 
common  about  that  time. ' '  One  taken  in  the  fall  of  1901  by  A.  Sid- 
ney Morgan. 

Nest — Builds  nest  on  ground  in  marshy  places.  See  breeding  record 
in  quotation  from  Mr.  Morgan  given  above. 

Food — Worms,  seeds,  etc. 

212.  Virginia  Rail  (Eallus  virginianus) .  See  Mr.  Brewster's  ac- 
count of  this  bird  given  in  Chapman's  "Handbook  of  Birds",  p.  142. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  from  British  Provinces  south  to  Gau- 
temala  and  Cuba, 

W.  Va.  Dist. — The  Morgan  brothers,  who  have  made  such  a  careful 
study  of  the  water-fowl  of  this  state,  call  this  rail  a  rather  common 
species  along  the  Great  Kanawha. 

Nest — Breeds  as  far  north  as  Labrador  and  as  far  south  as  Pennsyl- 
vania. Nest  on  ground  in  marshes. 

Food — Insects  and  vegetable  matter. 


1908]  BIRDS.  13 

214.  Sora  (Porzana  Carolina}.  Adult  and  young.  The  writer  re- 
members very  clearly  his  first  experience  with  this  beautiful  little  bird. 
In  August,  1886,,  he  was  passing  through  a  large  cornfield  on  the  head- 
waters of  French  Creek  in  Upshur  County.  Unexpectedly,  a  very  tame 
chicken-like  bird  appeared  and  ran  about  among  the  stalks  of  corn. 
It  was  so  fearless  and  so  pretty  and  so  strange  that  the  impression  it 
made  will  never  be  forgotten. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Mr.  Sidney  Morgan  has  told  me  that  it  is  common  in 
May  and  Jime  at  Poca  Bottoms. 

Nest — Breeds  in  northern  IT.  S.,  and  as  far  north  as  Hudson  Bay. 
Nest  on  the  ground  in  marshy  places.  Surber  has  one  W.  Va. 
breeding  record. 

Food — Insects  and  vegetable  matter. 

218.  Purple  Gallinule  (lonorni-s  martinica).     This  is  a  beautiful 
adult  specimen. 

Geog.  Dist.— South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  W.  S.  Edwards  reports  that  he  collected  a  speci- 
men of  this  richly  colored  species  on  Great  Kanawha  waters  some  years 
ago. 

Nest — Among  rushes  near  the  water.  Breeds  from  southern  Illinois 
southward. 

Food— Water  insects,  &c. 

219.  Florida  Gallinule  (GalUnula  galeata).  One  specimen,  adult. 
Sexes  colored  alike. 

Geog.  Dist. — America,  from  Brazil  and  Chili  to  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — One  was  taken  at  Poca  Bottoms  by  Mr.  A.  Sidney 
Morgan  in  1907. 

Nest — In  swampy  places,  on  bed  of  rushes.  Eight  to  thirteen  eggs. 
Breeds  as  for  north  as  southern  Maine. 

Food — Insects  and  vegetable  matter  about  ponds  and  marshes. 

221.  American  Coot  (Fulica  americana).  This  bird  is  commonly 
called  "mud-hen". 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  from  the  West  Indies  to  Greenland 
and  Alaska. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — I  have  found  this  species  to  be  very  common  along 
the  Ohio  Eiver  and  other  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — Among  reeds  in  fresh  water  marshes.    Eight  to  fifteen  eggs. 


14  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


Breeds  in  many  places  throughout  its  range.    I  have  no  evidence  that 
this  species  nests  in  West  Virginia. 
Food — Aquatic  animals  and  plants. 

228.  American  Woodcock  (Philohela  minor) .  One  specimen.  The 
name  of  this  bird  is  often  given  to  some  of  the  woodpeckers.  Let 
the  student  note  that  all  birds  in  his  collection  are  carefully  and 
correctly  named. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  north  to  Labrador  and  Mani- 
toba. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Formerly  very  common  in  this  state.  I  have  been  de- 
lighted to  note  evidences,  during  the  past  summer,  that  the  bird  is 
again  on  the  increase. 

Nest — Breeds  in  favorable  localities  in  this  state.  At  least  three 
nests  of  the  Woodcock  were  reported  to  the  writer  from  various  parts 
of  the  state  last  summer. 

Food — Earthworms,  insects,  &c. 

230.     Wilson's  Snipe  (Gallinago  delicata).   One  specimen;  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  and  Middle  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Eeported  by  Eifrig  from  near  Cumberland,  on  W. 
Va.  side  of  the  Potomac.  The  Morgan  brothers  have  found  this  species 
to  be  common  along  the  Great  Kanawha. 

Nest — Breeds  in  northern  United  States. 

Food1 — Insects  and  vegetable  matter. 

239.     Pectoral  Sandpiper  (Pisobia  masulata).     One  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  A.  Sidney  Morgan  has  reported  to  me  that  he  has 
found  this  sandpiper  to  be  rather  common  along  the  Great  Kanawha 
about  Poca  Bottoms. 

Nest — Breeds  in  the  arctic  regions. 

Food — Insects. 

242.     Least  Sandpiper  (Pisobia  minutilla).     One  specimen. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Surber  says  it  is  a  common  fall  migrant  in 
Greenbrier  County.  Mr.  "T.  A.  Morgan  has  reported  the  species  from 
the  Great  Kanawha  Valley.  Wm.  D.  Doan  includes  this  little  sandpiper 
in  his  list  of  West  Virginia  birds. 

Nest — Breeds  in  the  arctic  regions. 


1908]  BIRDS.  15 

Food — Insects  from  meadow  and  beach. 

246.  Semipalmated  Sandpiper  (Ereunetes  pusillus).  One  speci- 
men. Note  carefully  the  difference  between  the  feet  of  the  Least  Sand- 
piper and  this  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — No  positive  records  for  this  state. 

Nest — Breeds  in  arctic  regions. 

Food — Insects  and  other  forms  of  life  along  the  beach. 

254.  Greater  Yellow-legs  (Totarws  melanoleucus] .  Two  specimens, 
adult  and  young. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 
W.  Ya.  Dist.— "Common"  (Morgan). 

Nest — Minnesota  and  northward.  In  winter  goes  as  far  south  as 
Patagonia. 

Food — Insects  and  worms. 

255.  Yellow-legs   (Totanus  flavipes).     Two  specimens.     It  is  in- 
teresting to  compare  this  and  the  former  species.    Note  difference  in 
size. 

Geog.  Dist; — North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Surber  shot  a  male  Yellow-legs  in  Greenbrier 
County  April  20,  1893.  Wm.  Brewster  records  this  species  from 
Ritchie  County.  "More  common  than  Greater  Yellow-legs/'  (Sid- 
ney Morgan). 

Nest — New  York  northward  to  arctic  regions. 

Food — Insects. 

256.  Solitary  Sandpiper  (Totanus  solitanus).  One  adult  speci- 
men.   "This  is  a  wood  sandpiper.   It  is  rarely  found  on  the  beaches  or 
salt  marshes  near  the  sea,  but  frequents  fresh-water  ponds,  or  lakes 
and  woodland  streams,  both  in  the  lowlands  and  mountains."  (Chap- 
man). 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist— On  May  23,  1901,  Rev.  G.  Eifrig  found  the  Solitary 
Sandpiper  on  the  Swamp  Ponds,  just  across  the  Potomac  from  Cum- 
berland. In  1874  Mr.  Brewster  found  this  species  to  be  quite  numer- 
ous in  Ritchie  County.  "Yery  common"  (Morgan). 

Nest — Breeds  in  northern  TJ.  S.  and  northward.  Nest  has  rarely 
been  found. 


16  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


Food — Aquatic  insects. 

261.  Bartramian  Sandpiper  (Bartramia  longicauda).  One  adult 
specimen.  Commonly  called  "Upland  Plover". 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.— Reported  by  T.  A.  Morgan,  G.  Eifrig,  and  W.  D. 
Doan 

Nest — Breeds  in  temperate  North  America.  "It  probably  breeds  in 
the  state"  (Atkeson). 

Food — Grasshoppers  and  beetles. 

263.  Spotted  Sandpiper  (Actiiis  macularia).  One  specimen.  This 
is  our  most  common  sandpiper. 

Geog.  Dist. — Alaska  to  southern  Brazil. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  along  all  our  streams.  Equally  com- 
mon along  the  Ohio  Eiver  and  along  the  small  streams  far  up  in  the 
Alleghenies. 

Nest — Breeds  commonly  throughout  its  range.  Nest  along  banks 
of  streams,  on  the  ground. 

Food — Insects. 

273.  Killdeer  (AEgialiiis  vocifera).    This  is  a  well  known  plover. 
Common  everywhere,  and  should  be  known  by  all. 

Geog.  Dist.' — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.— Common  throughout  the  state.  Have  observed  them 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year. 

Nest — Nest  on  the  ground  in  meadows  and  pastures.  I  observed 
the  young  in  May,  1906,  in  a  field  near  Waverly,  West  Virginia. 

Food — Earthworms,  crustaceans,  and  insects. 

274.  Semipalmated  Plover  (AEgialiiis  semipalmaia) .    Two  speci- 
mens ;  a  pair.    Much  smaller  than  the  Killdeer,  and  found  along  sandy 
beaches. 

Geog.  Dist. — Arctic  and  subarctic  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  rare. 

Nest — Breeds  from  Labrador  to  the  shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea. 

Food — Insects  and  crustaceans. 

289.  Bob-white  (Colinus  virginianus).  These  two  specimens 
show  the  very  manifest  difference  in  the  appearance  of  the  male  and 
female.  The  Bob-white  is  one  of  our  most  useful  birds,  and  should 
never  be  killed  wantonly. 


BLUE    JAY 

Order— PASSERES  Family— Co  RVID/E 

Genus— CYANOCITTA  Species— CRISTATA 


1908]  BIRDS.  IT 

Geog.  Dist, — Eastern  North  America. 

AY.  Va.  Dist, — Common  in  all  parts  of  the  state  excepting  the  higher 
mountain  regions. 

Nest — Breeds  abundantly.  I  have  seen  young  birds  scarcely  able 
to  fly  as  late  as  Oct  9th. 

Food  — Insects,  grains,  nuts,  etc. 

300.  Ruffed  Grouse  (Bonasa  umbellus).  This  common  game  bivil 
is  represented  by  two  specimens,  a  male  and  a  female.  "Pheasant7'  is 
the  name  applied  to  this  grouse  in  most  sections  of  West  Virginia. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  U.  S.,  and  southern  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  the  great  deciduous  forests  in  the  hill 
region  of  the  state.  I  have  found  that  this  species  is  rare  in  parts  of 
the  Ohio  Valley.  It  is  not  at  all  common  in  the  higher  parts  of  the 
Allegheny  Mountains.  In  the  Yew  Mountains  (1905)  and  in  the 
Back  Allegheny  Mountains  (1907)  I  found  very  few  of  these  birds. 

Nest — Breeds  commonly  in  W.  Va.  Nest  on  ground;  eggs  eight: 
to  fourteen. 

Food  — Insects,  berries,  seeds,  leaves,,  and  leaf-buds.  • 

310.  Wild  Turkey  (Meleagris  gallopavo).  We  are  exceedingly 
fortunate  in  having  in  the  collection  a  pair  of  these  magnificent  game- 
birds.  Xote  carefully  how  the  male  and  female  differ,  and  observe 
the  chestnut-colored  tips  to  the  feathers  of  tail  and  upper  tailcoverts- 
In  domestic  turkeys  these  tips  are  white.  The  domestic  turkey  is 
descended  from  the  Mexican  Turke}r,  a  wild  species  found  in  Texas, 
Arizona,  and  Mexico.  It  was  this  latter  species  that  was  domesti- 
cated by  the  ancient  Mexicans. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  U.  S.  from  Pennsylvania  southward. 

W.  Va.  Dist,' — Once  abundant  in  this  state.  Now  quite  rarer 
though  generally  distributed  in  the  mountains.  This  great  bird  will 
soon  become  extinct  in  W.  Va.,  if  forest  destruction  continues  at  the 
present  rate. 

Nest  —Makes  its  nest  on  the  ground.  Eggs,  ten  to  fourteen. 
Breeds  in  W.  Va. 

Food  — Grasshoppers,  nuts,  etc. 

316.  Mourning  Dove  (Zenaidura  macroura  carolinensis] .  Male 
and  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  all  over  the  state.     I  have  seen  seventv-five 


18  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

in  one  flock,  though  this  species  is  usually  seen  flying  about  in  pairs 
or  in  flocks  of  four  or  five. 

Nest — A  platform  of  sticks  on  stump,  tree,  or  fence.  Breeds 
abundantly  in  "W.  Va. 

Food — Insects,  grain,  and  seeds. 

325.  Turkey  Vulture  (Catliartes  aura  septentrionalis) .  One 
adult.  This  is  the  only  vulture  found  in  this  part  of  the  United 
States.  Commonly  called  "Turkey  Buzzard.'' 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  central,  southern,  and  eastern  West  Vir- 
ginia. During  four  years  residence  in  the  Ohio  valley,  near  Parkers- 
burg,  I  did  not  see  a  Turkey  Vulture.  Now  becoming  much  more 
Tare  than  formerly  in  central  W.  Va.  Mr.  Brewster,  in  his  "Some 
Observations  on  the  Birds  of  Eitchie  County,  West  Virginia"  (Ann. 
Lye.  Nat.  Hist.  N.  Y.  1875,  p.  145)  gives  a  very  interesting  note  on 
the  disappearance  of  these  scavenger  birds  of  prey  from  Eitchie  County. 

Nest  —In  hollow  stump  or  on  the  ground.  One  to  three  eggs.  I 
found  these  birds  on  the  top  of  Spruce  Knob,  the  highest  elevation 
in  the  state,  in  June,  1908,  and  presume  they  were  breeding  there. 

Food — Decaying  animal  matter. 

331.  Marsh  Hawk  (Circus  hudsonius).     Two  specimens,  male  and 
female.     The  observer  should  notice  the  white     upper     tail-coverts 
which  are  characteristic  of  this  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  in  general. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Often  observed  in  this  state.  I  have  seen  a  number 
of  specimens  taken  in  various  parts  of  West  Virginia.  For  a  W.  Va., 
record,  see  Fisher's  "Hawks  and  Owls  of  the  United  States",  p.  31. 

Nest  — Builds  its  nest  on  the  ground  in  marshes.  Four  to  six 
eggs. 

Food — -Mice,  shrews,  reptiles,  small  birds,  and  rarely  poultry. 

332.  Sharp-shinned  Hawk   (Accipitcr  vdox).     A  pair.     A.  small 
swift-winged  bird  of  the  woods  and  open  fields. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  in  general. 
W.  Va.  Dist.— Quite  common. 

Nest — Builds  its  nest  in  trees.  I  found  this  species  nesting  in 
the  Yew  Mountains  in  August,  1904. 

Food  — Small  birds,  a  few  mice  and  insects. 


1908]  BIRDS.  19 

333.  Cooper's  Hawk  (Accipiter  cooperii).  Adult  and  young. 
This  species  is  to  be  carefully  distinguished  from  the  preceding. 

Geog.  Dist.— British  America  south  to  southern  Mexico. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Tolerably  common. 

Nest, — In  trees  twenty-five  to  fifty  feet  from  the  ground. 

Food  — This  is  one  of  our  most  harmful  hawks  as  it  feeds  largely 
on  poultry  and  small  birds. 

337.  Eed-tailed  Hawk  (Buteo  borealis).  Adult  and  young.  One 
of  the  most  common  of  our  large  hawks. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Very  common  in  the  Ohio  Valley  and  in  other  por- 
tions of  the  state. 

Nest — Builds  nest  in  tall  trees. 

Food — Of  562  stomachs  examined  by  the  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agricul- 
ture, only  54  contained  poultry  or  game  birds.  278  contained  mice. 

339.     Red-shouldered  Hawk  (Buteo  lineatus).     Adult  and  young. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Nova  Scotia  southward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Found  in  many  sections  of  the  state.  Scott  says 
this  hawk  was  quite  common  in  Kanawha  County  when  he  collected 
there. 

Nest — I  have  found  this  species  nesting  on  the  waters  of  French 
•Creek  in  Upshur  County.  Nests  in  tall  trees. 

Food  — Feeds  largely  on  mice,  other  mammals,  reptiles,  batrachians, 
.and  insects. 

343.     Broad-winged  Hawk  (Buteo  platypterus).     Adult  and  young. 
Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state.  I  have  collected 
$.  number  of  these  hawks. 

Nest — Nests  in  tall  trees  as  most  hawks  do. 
Food  — Insects,  mice,  reptiles,  batrachians,  birds. 

352.  Bald  Eagle  (Haliaeetus  leucoceplialus) .  Not  "bald",  but 
white-headed.  This  is  the  bird  of  our  country,  and  every  child  in  the 
^tate  should  know  the  habits  and  appearance  of  this  noble  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist.— I  have  observed  this  species  in  Upshur  and  Kanawha 
Counties,  and  it  has  been  reported  many  times  from  other  portions 


20  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA.. 

of  the  state.  Mr.  Eifrig  found  the  Bald  Eagle  in  the  "Eastern  Pan- 
handle/' 

Nest — Breeds  throughout  its  North  American  range.  Places  its- 
nest  in  a  tall  tree,  and  lays  two  or  three  dull  white  eggs. 

Food — The  Bald  Eagle  subsists  principally  upon  fish. 

356.  Duck  Hawk  (Falco  peregrinus  anatum) .     One  adult, 
Geog.  Dist. — North  America  and  the  greater  part  of  South  Ameri- 
ca. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Found  by  Doan  and  Surber.     Rare  in  W.  Va. 
Nest  — Builds  nest  on  rocky  cliffs   and  in  hollow  limbs  of  tall 
trees. 

Food — Some  poultry,  game  birds,  and  other  birds.     A  few  insects. 

357.  Pigeon  Hawk  (Falco  columbarius) .  Two  of  these  beautiful 
little  hawks,  an  adult  and  a  young  bird,  are  to  be  found  in  the  col- 
lection. 

Geog.  Dist. — The  whole  of  North  America  and  northern  South 
America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Of  rare  occurrence  in  this  state. 
Nest  — In  trees  and  on  cliffs. 
Food— Small  birds,  mice,  and  insects. 

360.  American  Sparrow  Hawk  (Falco  spar.verius) .  A  pair.  Note 
the  beautiful  colors  of  this  hawk. 

Geog.  Dist. — From  Great  Slave  Lake  to  Northern  South  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state. 

Nest  — Constructs  its  nest  in  a  hole  in  an  old  tree.  Three  to  seven 
eggs. 

Food  — Small  birds,  mice,  and  insects. 

364.  American  Osprey  (Pandion  lialiaetus  carolinensis) .  One 
adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — From  Hudson  Bay  and  Alaska  south  to  northern 
South  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — I  have  observed  this  bird  a  number  of  times  in  various 
places  in  the  state,  and  it  has  been  reported  by  others. 

Nest — In  trees  or  on  the  ground.  I  have  no  evidence  of  its 
breeding  in  our  state. 

Food  — Its  food  consists  solely  of  fish  which,  as  a  rule,  it  captures 
alive. 


1908]  BIBDS.  21 

365.  American  Barn  Owl  (Aluco  pratincola) .     One  adult.  This 
-strange  looking  creature  may  be  recognized  wherever  it  is  seen. 

Geog.  Dist.— Southern  part  of  the  U.  S.  and  Mexico. 
W.  Ya.  Dist. — Eare  in  West  Virginia.     I  have  never  seen  this  bird 
•alive  within  this  state. 

Nest  — Builds  nest  in  a  tower  or  in  a  tree. 

Food  — Mice  and  other  mammals  with  a  few  birds  and  insects. 

366.  American  Long-eared  Owl  (Asio  ivilsomanus) .  One  adult. 
Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Doan  includes  this  species  in  his  list  of  W. 
Va.  birds. 

Nest — Generally  uses  an  old  crow's,  hawk's,  or  squirrel's  nest. 
Food — "This  Owl  is  preeminently  a  mouser".  (Fisher). 

368.     Barred  Owl  (Strix  Varia).     One  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

"W.  Va.  Dist. — One  of  our  most  common  owls.  Reported  from 
many  sections  of  the  state.  Often  seen  and  heard  high  up  in  the 
mountains. 

Nest — Usually  in  a  hollow  tree. 

Food — "Of  109  stomachs  examined,  5  contained  poultry  or  game ; 
13,  other  birds;  46,  mice;  18,  other  mammals;  4,  frogs;  1,  a  lizard; 
2,  fish;  14,  insects;  2,  spiders;  9,  crawfish;  and  20  were  empty'' 
(Fisher). 

372.  Saw- whet  Owl  (Glaux  acadicus}.    This  fine  little  specimen 
should  be  carefully  noted.    It  has  no  " horns"  as  the  Screech  Owl 
lias. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Found  within  this  state  only  in  the  winter  season. 
I  have  heard,  two  or  more  times,  of  the  occurrence  of  this  little 
•owl  in  West  Virginia,  but  I  have  never  taken  it. 

Nest — Lays  three  to  five  eggs  in  a  hole  in  a  tree  or  in  a  deserted 
woodpecker's  or  squirrel's  nest.  Breeds  from  northern  New  York 
northward. 

Food — "Of  22  stomachs  examined,  17  contained  mice  "(Fisher). 

373.  Screech  Owl   (Otus  asio).       Two  specimens  showing  the 
mysterious  "red  phase"  and  "grey  phase"  of  this  familiar  little 
owl.      Both  phases  are  some  times  represented  in  the  same  brooc1. 
These  color  phases  are  not  dependent  upon  age,  sex,  or  season. 


22  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Abundant  in  many  localities.  Often  heard  about 
towns  as  well  as  in  lonely  country  places. 

Nest — Generally  in  a  hollow  tree.  Often  breeds  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, 

Food — Feeds  on  mice,  insects,  and  small  birds.  About  towns 
they  are  said  to  destroy  great  numbers  of  English  Sparrows. 

375.  Great  Horned  Owl  (Bubo  virginianus).  One  Adult.  Read- 
ily identified  by  its  size  and  the  very  large  ear-tufts. 

Geog.  Dist, — From  Labrador  to  Costa  Rica,  in  eastern  North 
America, 

W.  Va,  Dist. — Rather  common  in  our  state. 

Nest — Often  in  an  old  hawk's,  crow's,  or  squirrel's  nest. 

Food— Of  127  stomachs  examined  by  Dr.  A.  K.  Fisher,  only  31 
contained  poultry  or  game  birds;  78  contained  small  mammals  of 
various  kinds. 
t 

387.  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  (Coccyzus  americanus).     One  speci- 
men.   Sexes  alike.    Note  very  carefully  the  color  of  the  bill  in  the 
two  species  of  cuckoos. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  temperate  North  America. 
W.  Va.  Dist. — Rather  common  in  most  parts  of  this  state. 
Nest — Rev.  W.  E.  Hill  found  this  species  breeding  at  Fairview, 
West  Virginia,  in  June,  1883. 

Food — Tent  caterpillars  and  other  insects. 

388.  Black-billed   Cuckoo    (Coccyzus   erythrophthalmus}.     One 
specimen.    Adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America, 

W.  Va.  Dist. — J.  Warren  Jacobs  in  his  pamphlet  entitled  "Sum- 
mer Birds  of  Monongalia  County,  West  Virginia"  says  that  h^ 
found  this  species  in  abundance  in  Monongalia  County  on  May  31r 
1895.  Common  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — Often  builds  its  nest  in  apple  trees.  Our  American  cuckoos 
are  not  dependent  upon  other  birds  to  hatch  their  eggs  and  to  care- 
for  their  young  as  is  the  European  Cuckoo. 

Food — Caterpillars  and  other  insects,. 

390.  Belted  Kingfisher  (Ceryle  alcyon).  Two  specimens,  male 
and  female.  Notice  the  rufous  coloring  on  the  sides  and  on  the 
belly  of  the  female. 


1908]  BIRDS. 


Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  to  Panama. 
W.  Ya.  Dist. — Common  along  all  streams. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  a  bank,  about  six  feet  from  the  entrance.    Has 
been  found  nesting  many  places  in  West  Virginia. 
Food— Fish. 

393.  Hairy  Woodpecker  (Dryobates  villosus).     A  pair  of  these 
common  woodpeckers  show  this  species  to  good  advantage. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  from  the  Carolinas  north- 
ward. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Dr.  Rives  found  this  bird  not  uncommon  in  the 
great  " Spruce  belt''  (AUK,  1898,  p.  131).  Common  throughout 
our  state. 

Nest — Jacobs  found  this  bird  with  youtg  in  Monongalia  Co. 
Common  breeder. 

Food — Tree-haunting  insects. 

394.  Downy  Woodpecker    (Dryobates  pubescens).     These  twi> 
specimens  will  enable  any  observer  to  distinguish  between  the  male 
and  the  female  of  this  common  species.    As  may  be  noted,  the  male 
has  the  red  nape,  but  the  female,  similar  in  other  markings,  is 
without  the  scarlet  nape. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Labrador  to  Florida. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Yery  common  in  most  parts  of  this  state.  Dr. 
Rives  observed  this  species  but  once  or  twice  while  on  his  visit  to 
the  West  Yirginia  spruce  b<?lt.  I  have  not  found  it  very  common  in 
the  mountainous  section  of  West  Yirginia,  though  it  is  so  generally 
distributed  elsewhere  in  the  state. 

Nest — In  holes  in  trees.  Eggs,  four  to  six.  A  common  breeder 
in  W.  Ya. 

Food — Tree-haunting  insects.  Feeds  some  times  on  the  pupa 
of  the  codling  moth.  The  Downy  is  a  very  useful  bird. 

395.  Red-cockaded  Woodpecker  (Dryobates  borcalis}.     One  fe- 
male.    This  is  an  exceedingly  interesting  specimen.     Look  up  this 
species. 

Geog.  Dist. — "BoredUs",  the  specific  name  of  this  bird  is  a 
misnomer.  It  is  not  a  northern  bird,  but  is  found  only  in  the  south- 
ern part  of  the  United  States. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Yery  rare. 

Nest— "In  the  higher  part  of  a  pine  tree"  (Chapman). 

Food — Insects  that  frequent  pine  woods. 


•24  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

402.  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker  (Sphyrapicus  varius).  A  pair 
of  adults  and  a  young  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — In  the  greater  part  of  the  state  this  species  occurs 
as  a  common  migrant  in  spring  and  fall.  The  writer  found  this 
species  in  great  numbers  in  the  Spruce  Mountains  last  summer 
{1908),  and  one  nest  was  found. 

Nest — In  dead  tree. 

Food — Juices  of  trees  and  insects. 

405.  Pileated  Woodpecker  (Phloeotomus  pileatus).     A  pair  of 
these  large  woodpeckers  will  be  found  in  the  collection.     This  is 
'the  species  to  which  the  name  ' '  woodcock "  is  so  often  given.    For 
a  description  of  the  American  Woodcock  see  No.  228. 

Geog.  Dist. — Heavily  wooded  regions  of  North  America.  Now 
'becoming  almost  extinct  in  many  places. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — This  fine  bird  is  still  quite  common  in  nearly  all 
sections  of  the  state.  In  Upshur  County  and  in  the  surrounding 
counties,  where  the  deciduous  forests  still  stand  in  considerable 
acreage,  the  Pileated  Woodpecker  may  be  found  in  almost  every 
tract  of  wood-land.  Occasionally  observed  in  the  mountains.  I 
•saw  a  single  bird  of  this  species  at  Horton,  June  16,  1908. 

Nest — In  dead  tree  twenty-five  to  eighty  feet  from  the  ground. 
Breeds  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — Wood-boring  larvae  and  other  insects. 

406.  Red-headed  Woodpecker  (  Melanerpes     erytkrocephalu*} . 
A  pair.    This,  most  beautiful  species  is  worthy  of  careful  study. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  throughout  the  state.  Rare  in 
winter.  However,  I  have  found  large  numbers  of  them  spending 
the  winter  in  some  sheltered  wood-land  in  at  least  two  places  in 
this  state. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  dead  tree. 

Food — Insects,  fruit,  and  corn  that  is  "in  the  milk 


409.  Red-bellied  Woodpecker  (  Melanerpes  carolinus).  This 
is  sometimes  called  the  "Guinea  Woodpecker".  The  observer  will 
notice  the  origin  of  the  name  in  the  color  and  markings  of  the 
bird. 


1908]  BIBDS.  25 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  more  common  toward  the 
south. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  some  places,  rare  at  other  points. 
Not  often  observed  in  the  mountains.  Because  of  the  irregular 
•distribution  of  this  species  and  its  inclination  to  keep  in  the  tops 
of  forest  trees,  it  is  not  so  well  known  as  some  of  the  other  members 
of  this  family. 

Nest — In  some  dead  forest  tree. 

Food — Insects. 

412a.  Northern  Flicker  (Colaptes  a uratus  luteus).  Represented 
l>y  two  specimens,  a  male  and  a  female.  Note  the  difference  in 
the  sexes. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  and  northern  North  America,  south  to 
North  Carolina. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Abundant  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — In  hole  in  dead  tree.    Five  to  nine  beautiful  white  eggs. 

Food — Termites,  ants  and  other  insects,  fruit,  etc. 

416.  Chuck-TwiH's- widow     (Anirostomus     carolinensis) .        One 
adult.  "We  are  fortunate  in  having  a  specimen  of  this  large  southern 
•goat-sucker. 

Geog.  Dist. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  south  to  Central 
America. 

"W.  Va.  Dist. — But  one  record  for  this  species  in  West  Vir- 
ginia. Mr.  Thad.  Surber  reports  that  he  examined  a  specimen, 
on  Apr.  22,  1897,  that  had  been  picked  up  on  the  streets  of  Lewis- 
burg,  Greenbrier  County.  Just  here  it  is  in  place  to  say  that 
rare  southern  species  are  likely  to  be  observed  at  any  time  along 
the  waters  of  the  New  River  and  in  adjacent  sections.  Quito 
naturally  both  animals  and  plants  follow  down  that  stream  from 
the  Carolinas,  until  they  are  beyond  their  usual  habitat.  I  would 
urge  upon  persons  who  live  in  the  southern  parts  of  the  state  to 
be  on  the  look-out  constantly  for  rare  species  from  farther  south. 

Nest — Two  eggs  placed  on  the  leaves  or  on  the  bare  ground. 

Food — Aerial  insects  and,  sometimes,  small  birds. 

417.  "Whip-poor-will    (Antrostomus  vocifenis).     One  specimen 
only  is  needed  in  the  collection  to  represent  this  common    species, 
as  male  and  female  are  nearly  alike  in  their  markings. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  plains. 


26  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


W.  Ya.  Dist. — Generally  common.  Not  often  heard  011  the  low 
valley  bottom-lands  along  the  Ohio  River.  Bare  in  the  higher 
elevations.  Common  elsewhere. 

Nest — Eggs  placed  on  leaves  or  on  the  ground,  with  no  effort 
at  nest-building. 

Food — Nocturnal  insects. 

420.  Nighthawk  (Cliordeiles  virginianus) .  Male  and  female, 
It  is  most  earnestly  hoped  that  these  specimen s,  with  the  one 
Whip-poor-will,  may  help  in  clearing  up  the  endless  confusion 
of  these  two  kinds  of  birds.  The  Nighthawk  is  often  seen  flying 
about  on  late  summer  evenings  in  great  numbers,  and  is  frequently 
called  "Bull-bat".  The  Whip-poor-will  does  not  come  out  in  the 
open  as  the  Nighthawk  does.  The  two  species  should  be  readily 
distinguished,  even  by  the  casual  observer,  by  the  very  different 
notes.  The  coloring,  too,  is  quite  different.  Note  the  difference- 
in  the  shape  of  the  tail  in  the  two  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Northern  and  eastern  North  America,  west  to  the 
Great  Plains  and  central  British  Columbia,  and  from  Labrador 
south  through  tropical  America  to  the  Argentine  Republic. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common,  especially  in  August  and  early  Septem- 
ber when  they  pass  through  this  section  on  their  autumn  migra- 
tion flights. 

Nest — No  nest.  Eggs  laid  on  bare  ground,  on  a  stone,  or,  some 
times,  on  the  roof  of  a  house.  I  found  a  nest  of  this  species  at 
one  time  in  Upshur  County.  In  the  mountains  these  birds  are 
heard  frequently  in  the  breeding  season.  Though  I  searched  very 
carefully  one  day  last  summer  for  a  nest  on  the  summit  of  Spruce 
Knob,  Pendleton  Co.,  I  failed  to  find  one. 

Food — Flying  insects. 

423.  Chimney  Swift  (Chaetura  pelagica}.  One  adult,  These 
birds  do  not  belong  to  the  Swallow  family,  though  they  are  called 
"Chimney  Swallows"  by  many  people.  Structurally,  they  are  un- 
like swallows. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  from  the  Fur  Countries  to 
Cozumel  Island. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — One  of  our  most  abundant  birds.  In  "Summer 
Birds  of  the  West  Virginia  Spruce  Belt"  (AUK,  Vol.  XV,  189*. 
p.  135)  Dr.  Rives  says,  "Occasionally  observed".  Not  very  common 
in  the  mountainous  districts. 


1908]  BIBDS.  2T 

Nest — In  a  chimney  or  hollow  tree. 
Food — Insects.    Very  useful  birds. 

428.     Ruby-throated  Hummingbird  (Trochilus  colubris).    A  pair.. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  as  far  north  as  the  Fur- 
Countries. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common.  Though  there  are  about  five  hun- 
dred species  of  hummingbirds  in  North  and  South  America,  this  is 
the  only  species  that  ever  comes  into  this  part  of  the  United 
States. 

;^est — A  beautiful  nest  of  plant  down,  fibers,  and  lichens  saddle  1 
on  a  limb,  frequently  an  apple  limb.  Difficult  to  find  the  nest  of 
this  species.  Two  white  eggs. 

Food — Honey  from  flowers  and  minute  insects. 

444.  Kingbird  (Tyrannus  tyrannus).  Male  and  female.  The 
male  is  so  mounted  that  its  usually  concealed  orange-red  crest  may^ 
be  seen.  This  is  the  bird  that  is  often  called  "Bee-bird"  or  "Bee- 
martin". 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  most  common  east  of  the  Rockies. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — One  of  the  common  birds  of  our  fields  and  orchards.. 

Nest — Usually  in  apple  trees.    Nests  easily  found. 

Food — The  Kingbird  some  times  feeds  on  bees,  but  it  destroys; 
enough  harmful  insects  to  clear  its  record. 

452.  Crested  Flycatcher  (Myiarchus  crinitus) .  One  adult.  Sexe& 
alike. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  very  common  bird  in  all  sections  of  the  state 
where  there  are  large  tracts  of  deciduous  woodland. 

Nest — In  hollow  tree.  One  peculiarity  in  the  nest-building  of 
this  bird  is  to  be  found  in  its  selection  of  a  piece  of  cast-off  snake 
skin  for  building  material.  A  nest  is  rarely  found  without  this^ 
uncanny  thing  in  its  walls. 

Foods— Insects.  (See  Bull.  110,  W.  Va.  Agr.  Expt.  Sta.,  p.  23. 
for  interesting  note  on  the  food  habits  of  this  flycatcher) . 

456.  Phoebe  (Sayornis  phoebe).  One  adult.  Sexes  alike.  Some 
times  called  "Pewee". 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

"W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state. 


28  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Nest — Made  of  mud  and  moss,  and  placed  on  a  beam  or  rafter  or 
rock  ledge. 

Food — Winged  insects. 

461.     Wood  Pewee    (Myiochanes  virens).     One  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  from  Florida  to  Newfound- 
land. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  nearly  all  sections  of  the  state.  It 
usually  makes  its  presence  known  by  its  clear  whistling  notes. 

Nest — Saddled  across  the  limb  of  some  forest  tree,  twenty  to  forty 
feet  up.  Breeds  commonly  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — Forest  insects,  such  as  fly  about  in  dark  woods. 

463.  Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher  (Empidonax  flaviventris) .  One 
specimen. 

G-eog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  northern 
states  to  Labrador.  Casual  in  Greenland. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — This  species  has  been  recorded  but  twice  from  the 
state.  The  writer  has  never  seen  a  living  specimen  in  West  Virginia. 

Nest — On  the  ground  in  northern  spruce  forests. 

Food — Insects. 

! 
467.     Least  Flycatcher   (Empidon&a  minimus).     One  specimen. 

Sexes  alike.  From  this  series  of  our  smaller  flycatchers,  the  student 
may  observe  how  little  difference  there  is  in  either  size  or  coloring. 
This  group  of  birds  brings  many  perplexities  to  even  an  advanced 
student  of  bird-life. 

Geog.  Dist. — Chiefly  eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rather  common  in  the  migration  seasons.  Of  late  I 
have  found  some  evidence  of  the  breeding  of  this  species  in  our 
state.  In  June  (1908)  I  found  a  number  of  these  little  birds  at  the 
base  of  Spruce  Knob,  Pendleton  County. 

Nest — In  the  crotch  of  a  tree  a  few  feet  from  the  ground. 

Food — Flying  insects. 

474b.  Prairie  Horned  Lark  (Otocoris  alpestris  praticola).  Two 
specimens. 

Geog.  Dist. — This  subspecies  is  found  in  the  upper  Mississippi 
Valley  and  eastward  through  New  England  and  the  Central  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist, — A  new-comer  into  W.  Va.  Within  the  past  ten  years 
this  bird  has  extended  its  range  into  nearly  all  parts  of  our  state. 
Now  breeds  in  manv  of  our  counties. 


1908]  BIBDS.  2» 

Nest — Made  of  grass  on  the  ground. 

Food — About  80  per  cent  of  the  food  is  vegetable  matter  consist- 
ing of  grains,  weed  seeds,  and  fruits.  The  remaining  20  per  cent 
consists  of  animal  food — mostly  insects. 

477.  Blue  Jay  (Cyanocitta  cristata,}.  One  specimen  of  this 
beautiful  bird  is  quite  enough  to  exhibit  his  rich  blue  plumage. 
Male  and  female  colored  alike. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  and  from  the- 
Fur  Countries  south  to  Florida  and  eastern  Texas. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rare  along  Ohio  Valley.  In  some  places  quite 
common,  though  the  abundance  or  rarity  of  this  species  in  any  given 
place  varies  greatly  from  year  to  year.  More  common  in  the 
rougher  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — Nest  made  of  rootlets  in  a  tree  crotch  fifteen  to  twenty 
feet  up.  Breeds  in  this  state. 

Food — Of  miscellaneous  nature  consisting  of  fruits,  nuts,  seeds 
and  insects.  In  June  (1908)  I  found  this  species  feeding  on  great 

quantities  of  the  bright  red  fruit  of  the  Mountain  Elder, 
i 

488.  American  Crow  (Cwvus  brachyrhynchos) .  One  specimen  of 
this  well-known  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  from  the  Fur  Countries  to  the- 
southern  border  of  the  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common.  Along  the  Ohio  River  this  species  some 
times  gathers  in  large  flocks  to  spend  the  winter  months. 

Nest — A  coarse  affair  made  of  sticks  in  a  tree  about  thirty  feet 
from  the  ground. 

Food — Omnivorous  in  its  feeding  habits.  It  is  believed  that  the 
food  of  this  bird  is  such  that,  on  the  whole,  it  must  be  placed  on 
the  list  of  beneficial  birds.  For  elaborate  notes  on  the  food  of  the 
American  Crow  see  bulletin  No.  6,  Dept.  Agr.,  Div.  Ornithology 
and  Mammalogy,  "The  Common  Crow  of  the  United  States,"  by- 
Barrows  and  Schwarz,  1895. 

494.  Bobolink  (Doliclwnyx  oryzivorus).  A  pair  of  these  pretty 
birds  appears  in  the  collection. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Montana. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — For  many  years  I  looked  for  Bobolinks  in  central 
West  Virginia,  but  failed  to  find  them.  Finally  in  the  early  90  's, 
I  saw  five  birds  of  this  species  on  the  grounds  of  the  West  Virginia 


-30  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Wesley  an  College  at  Buckhannon.  Since  that  time  I  have  observed 
the  species  many  times,  most  frequently  in  Wood  and  Marshall 
Counties.  Large  flocks  of  these  birds  have  been  reported  from  the 
-eastern  and  southern  parts  of  the  state  during  migration  seasons. 

Nest — Grassy  nest  on  the  ground.  There  are  no  breeding  records 
for  West  Virginia. 

Food — Seeds,  grains  and  insects. 

495.  Cowbird  (Molothrus  ater).  The  pretty  black  and  brown 
-colors  of  these  common  birds  are  to  be  seen  in  the  male  and  female 
specimens. 

Geog.  Dist. — United  States,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific. 

W.  Va.  Di-st. — Very  common  in  the  summer  time.  For  awhile, 
'however,  in  mid-summer,  these  birds  are  strangely  absent.  In  the 
autumn  they  gather  in  large  flocks  as  they  prepare  to  go  on  their 
southward  migration  flights.  Occasionally  this  bird  may  be  seen 
in  mid-winter. 

Nest — This  bird  builds  no  nest,  but  always  lays  its  eggs  in  the 
nest  of  some  smaller  bird. 

Food — Insects  and  seeds.  Watch  these  birds  following  the  cows 
out  in  the  fields  and  see  them  catching  the  insects  that  the  cows  stir 
up. 

498.  Red-winged  Blackbird  (Agelaius  plweniceus}.  The  very 
marked  difference  between  the  male  and  female  is  shown  by  these 
two  specimens.  When  the  male  flies  the  bright  red  shoulder  marks 
are  most  beautifully  displayed.  The  young  birds  are  colored  much 
as  the  female  is. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  in  general,  from  Great  Slave  Lake 
south  to  Costa  Rica, 

W.  Va.  Dist. — One  of  the  most  common  birds  along  the  streams  in 
the  more  developed  parts  of  the  state.  Abundant  along  the  larger 
rivers.  In  the  glades  about  Cowen,  I  have  found  these  birds  breed- 
ing in  large  numbers. 

Nest — In  low  bushes  or  reeds.  Breeds  commonly  in  West  Vir- 
ginia, 

Food — Fruits,  insects,  grains. 

501.     Meadowlark  (  Stumella  magna).     Male  and  female. 
Geog.  Dist.— Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada  to  the 
Plains. 


1908]  BIRDS.  31 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  cultivated  sections.  Sometimes 
spends  the  winter  here. 

Nest — Nest  made  of  grasses  and  placed  on  the  ground.  Mr. 
Frank  M.  Chapman  speaks  of  the  nest  as  being  very  hard  to  find. 
Four  to  six  spotted  eggs. 

Food — Insects  and  seeds. 

506.  Orchard   Oriole    (Icterus  spurius).       Male,    female,   and 
young.     The  male  does  not  have  its  rich  chestnut  and  black  colors 
till  the  third  year.     About  as  common  as  the  Baltimore  Oriole, 
but  not  so  often  seen.     As  the  name  implies,  it  is  found  about 
orchard  trees. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  as  far  north  as  New  England. 

W.  Va.  Dist — Generally  distributed  throughout  the  state  where 
the  altitude  is  under  2,000  ft. 

Nest — Breeds  in  W.  Va.  wherever  found.  I  have  found  a  great 
many  nests  of  this  species  in  fruit  trees  in  Wood,  Upshur  and  Lewis 
Counties.  Look  out  for  the  song  of  this  accomplished  musician. 

Food — Insects. 

507.  Baltimore  Oriole  (Icterus  galbula).     A  pair.     Named  for 
Lord  Baltimore  who  is  said  to  have  dressed  in  orange  and  black. 
Chapman  says,  "Sometimes  Nature,  as  if  to  remind  us  of  the  rich- 
ness of  her  stores,  sends  from  the  tropics  a  gaily  attired  bird  who 
•seems  quite  out  of  place  among  the  more  soberly  clad  inhabitants 
of  northern   climes.        The   genus   Icterus   contains   nearly   forty 
species,  all  more  or  less  brightly  dressed  in  orange,  yellow,  an-1 
black,  but  not  one  is  more  beautiful  than  our  Baltimore  Oriole." 
Known  by  almost  every  one  who  is  at  all  familiar  with  our  birds. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  as  far  north  as  Ontario  and 
Manitoba. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  outside  the  mountain  districts. 

Nest — Pensile,  in  fruit  or  shade  trees.  Eggs,  four  to  six.  Very 
common  breeder  in  mast  parts  of  the  state. 

Food— Destroys  some  fruit.  83  per  cent  of  the  oriole's  food  is 
animal  matter,  caterpillars  forming  34  per  cent  of  the  whole.  '"It 
may  be  ranked  as  one  of  the  chief  friends  of  the  orchardist  and 
forester. ' '  ( Forbush ) . 

509.  Rusty  Blackbird  (EupJiagus  carolinus.)  Male  and  female. 
This  is  only  a  transient  visitant  in  this  state,  and  is  less  known 
than  any  of  the  other  blackbirds  that  come  to  West  Virginia. 


32  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W. 


Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Alaska  and  the 
Plains.  Breeds  from  New  England  northward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Seen  occasionally  in  the  spring  and  fall.  I  have 
observed  a  number  of  flocks  of  this  Blackbird  at  French  Creek, 
Upshur  County. 

Nest — In  coniferous  trees  or  on  the  ground.  Little  is  know  of 
this  northern  Blackbird  in  its  breeding  region. 

Food — Grains,  seeds,  insects.  Not  of  economic  importance  in 
this  state. 

511.  Purple  Grackle  (Quiscalus  quiscula).  Male  and  female.  Not 
common  in  the  region  of  the  state  that  lies  west  of  the  Alleghenies. 

Geog.  Dist. — East  of  the  Alleghenies  from  Georgia  to  Massachus- 
etts. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  only  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  state. 

Nest — Breeds  m  colonies.     Nests  placed  high  up  in  trees. 

Food— Somewhat  destructive  to  corn  and  other  grains.  Yet 
Forbush  says,  "Crow  Blackbirds  *****  are  indespensible  because  of 
the  vast  amount  of  insects  they  destroy. ' ' 

511b.  Bronzed  Gackle  (Quiscalus  quiscula  aeneus).  One  adult. 
The  more  western  form  of  the  Crow  Blackbird. 

Geog.  Dist. — From  Alleghenies  to  Rocky  Mountains,  north  to- 
Great  Slave  Lake. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  all  parts  of  the  state  west  of  the- 
mountains.  Not  so  common,  however,  in  the  higher  sections.  Dr. 
Rives  says  that  specimens  which  he  examined  from  the  mountainous 
sections  of  the  state  seemed  to  be  intermediate  between  the  typical 
species  and  aeneus. 

Nest — Nesting  habits  the  same  as  in  the  last. 

Food — Insects,  grains,  and  fruits. 

517.  Purple  Finch  (Carpodacus  purpureus).  Male  and  female. 
For  beautiful  colored  plates  of  this  and  many  other  species  of  birds, 
address  the  National  Association  of  Audubon  Societies,  141  Broad- 
way, New  York  City.  The  Purple  Finch  is  roving  in  disposition, 
and  is  not  often  seen  except  by  one  who  knows  just  where  to  find  it. 
The  plumage  is  not  purple,  but  rosy.  A  very  good  songster.  Eugene- 
P.  Bicknell  says,  "The  song  bursts  forth  as  if  from  some  uncontroll- 
able stress  of  gladness,  and  is  repeated  uninterruptedly  over  and 
over  again,  while  the  ecstatic  bird  rises  high  into  the  air,  and,  still 
singing,  descends  into  the  trees.'' 


BALTIMORE    ORIOLE 

(UPPER  FIGURE,  MALE;   LOWER  FIGURE,  FEMALE) 
Order— PASSERES  Family— ICTERID^E 

Genus— ICTERUS  Species— GALBULA 


1908]  BIRDS.  33: 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  from  the  Atlantic  States 
to  the  Plains. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr,  Surber,  in  notes  sent  to  the  Biological  Survey, 
Dept.  of  Agriculture,  Washington,  D.  C.,  says,  "A  rare  resident 
near  White  Sulphur  Springs.  May  breed."  Very  common  through- 
out the  state  in  the  migrating  seasons.  I  believe,  with  Mr.  Surber,. 
that  this  species  breeds  in  the  mountain  districts  of  W.  Ya.  On  the 
17th  of  last  June  (1908),  I  saw  several  Purple  Finches  at  Osceola, 
Pocahontas  County.  In  the  summer  time  I  have  noted  this  specijs 
in  "The  Pines",  a  black  spruce  forest  about  six  miles  above  Pickens, 
in  Randolph  County. 

Nest — In  coniferous  tree,  five  to  thirty  feet  up.  Eggs,  four  to 
six ;  blue,  spotted  about  the  larger  end  with  fuscous. 

Food — Often  devours  buds  and  fruit  blossoms,  though  this  prun- 
ing or  cutting  of  buds,  blossoms,  or  seeds  of  trees  is  not  ordinarily 
excessive.  Forbush  says,  "This  bird  eats  many  of  the  seeds  of" 
the  most  destructive  weeds,  ragweed  being  a  favorite.  The  Purple 
Finch  also  destroys  many  orchard  and  woodland  caterpillars.  It 
is  particularly  destructive  to  plant  lice  and  cankerworms. '' 

521.  American  Crossbill  (Loxia  curvirostra  minor).  A  pair.. 
The  curved  mandibles  of  this  little  finch  are  to  be  particularly  noted. 

Geog.  Dist. — Northern  North  America,  and  southward  along  .tho- 
Alleghenies. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rare.  Mr.  T.  J.  Frye,  who  is  well  acquainted  with 
this  little  bird  in  northern  Pennsylvania,  says,  ' '  Saw  30  in  a  flock 
on  Bull  Creek  (near  Waverly)  in  winter  of  1904  or  1905." 

Nest — In  coniferous  trees.     Nest  is  built  very  early  in  the  spring. 

Food — Seeds  of  cone-bearing  trees. 

English  Sparrow  (Passer  domesticus).  Male  and  female.  This 
alien  species  was  introduced  into  America  in  1851  or  1852.  How- 
ever, it  did  not  spread  over  the  country  till  after  1870.  Becoming 
a  great  pest.  It  has  been  estimated  that  a  single  pair  of  these 
prolific  birds  might  multiply  until,  in  ten  years,  their  progeny 
would  number  275,176,983,698! 

Geog.  Dist. — "Nearly  the  whole  of  Europe,  extending  eastward 
to  Persia  and  Central  Asia,  India,  and  Ceylon"  (Sharpe).  Intro- 
duced into  America,  Australia,  and  New  Zealand. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Found  in  all  sections  of  the  state. 

Food — Forbush  says  it  is  one  of  the  few  species  that  deserve  no 


34  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

consideration  at  the  hands  of  the  ^farmers.     Generally   harmful. 
Destroys  some  insects,  but  not  enough  to  amend  its  other  evil  habits. 

529.  American  Goldfinch  (Astragalinus  tristis).  Male  and  fe- 
male. In  the  winter  the  male  assumes  somber  colors  similar  to 
those  of  the  female  and  young. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America,  east  of  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Abundant  everywhere  and  at  all  seasons,  though 
not  quite  so  common  in  winter.  I  have  found  this  species  particu- 
larly common  in  the  mountainous  portions  of  the  state. 

Nest — Builds  its  nest  rather  late  in  the  summer.  Often  chooses 
orchard  or  shade  trees  as  nesting  site.  Three  to  six  pale  bluish 
white  eggs.  A  common  breeder  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — Weed  seeds,  especially  those  that  are  furnished  with  down, 
as  the  dandelion  and  thistle.  Many  insects.  It  has  been  recorded 
that  the  Goldfinch  sometimes  feeds  on  the  Hessian  fly.  Destroys 
millions  of  plant  lice  eggs. 

540.  Vesper  Sparrow  (Pooecetes  gramineus).  Male  and  female. 
Often  called  "Grassfinch"  or  " Bay-winged  Bunting".  A  songster  of 
unusual  ability. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  from  Nova 
Scotia  and  Ontario  southward. 

W.  Va,  Dist. — Not  at  all  common  on  Ohio  River  bottoms.  Else- 
where in  the  state,  with  the  exception  of  some  of  the  highest  parts, 
I  have  found  this  delightful  bird  in  abundance.  To  be  looked  for 
in  old  pasture  fields. 

Nest — Builds  nest  on  the  ground.     Spotted  eggs. 

Food — Grasshoppers  form  the  principal  food  in  mid-summer. 
Insects  of  many  kind  are  destroyed  by  this  bird.  Weed  seeds  also 
enter  into  its  bill  of  fare. 

542a.  Savanna  Sparrow  (Ammodramus  $andwichen$is  savanna}. 
Male  and  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  northward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  rare  in  our  state.  Only  one  record  so  far 
as  the  writer  can  determine. 

Nest — On  the  ground. 

Food — Beetles,  ants,  and  cut-worms.     Destroys  some  weed  seeds. 


1908]  BIRDS.  35 

546.  Grasshopper  Sparrow  (Coturniculus  savannarum  australis) . 
Pair.     So  named  because  of  its  grasshopper-like  song.       A  bir«l 
of  quiet  and  unobtrusive  ways.     The  student  must  look  for  this 
species  in  meadow-lands  and  along  the  road-sides.     Not  generally 
known,  even  by  those  who  have  a  fair  knowledge  of  our  common 
birds. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  and  Southern  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Abundant  along  all  our  larger  river  bottoms,  par- 
ticularly along  the  Ohio.  Abundant  in  the  Preston  County  Glades. 
Common  about  Buckhannon. 

Nest — Well  concealed  on  the  ground. 

Food — No  cultivated  fruit ;  some  seeds.  Very  destructive  to  cut- 
worms, army  worms,  wire-worms,  click  beetles,  weevils,  and  grass- 
hoppers. 

i 

547.  Henslow's  Sparrow  (Ammodramus  hemlowii).     Two,  male 

-and  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 
W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  rare  in  this  state. 
Nest — On  the  ground;  made  of  grasses. 
Food — Insects  and  seeds. 

554.  White-crowned  Sparrow  (Zanvtrichia  leucophrys).  One 
adult.  This  is  one  of  our  rare  migrant  sparrows,  and,  in  life,  is 
"very  beautiful.  Few  birds  have  a  more  stately  manner  and  dig- 
nified bearing.  The  observer  is  very  fortunate  who,  on  some  morn- 
ing in  October,  sees  this  sparrow  on  its  way  toward  the  south. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large,  breeding  chiefly  in  the 
Rocky  Mountains. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Occasionally  seen  in  spring  or  fall  while  mi'grai- 
ing.  Mr.  Ernest  Ingersoll  saw  a  White-crowned  Sparrow  in  Ritchie 
County  on  May  10.  1874  (See  Forest  and  Stream,  Vol.  IV,  p.  358.) 

Nest — On  the  ground  or  in  low  bush.  Breeding  range  far  to  the 
north. 

Food — Insects  and  seeds. 

558.  White-throated  Sparrow  (Zonotrichia  albicollis).  Malo 
and  female.  Far  more  common  than  the  preceding  species,  though 
this  bird  is  seen  only  in  the  spring  and  fall  migration  seasons. 
Often  called  "Peabody-bird"  because  of  the  syllables  of  its  song. 
A  good  singer. 


36  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Geog.  Dist. — Chiefly  eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Plains, 
north  to  Labrador  and  the  Fur  Countries, 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Of  common  occurrence  in  October  and  April.  At 
times  it  becomes  very  abundant,  and  is  to  be  seen  in  large  flocks 
about  briar  fields  and  in  open  woodland. 

Nest — On  the  ground  or  in  bushes.  Breeds  in  the  northern  states 
and  northward  as  far  as  Labrador. 

Food — Dr.  Judd  says  that  ragweed  seed  constitutes  45  per  cent  of 
their  food  in  October.  Very  fond  of  the  seeds  of  polygonum. 

560.  Chipping  Sparrow  (Spizella  passerina) .  Male  and  female. 
This  is  a  well-known  bird. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, north  to  Great  Slave  Lake  and  Newfoundland,  and  south  to 
Mexico,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  States  northward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  about  all  farms,  orchards,  and  even 
within  the  towns  and  cities. 

Nest — The  nesting  habits  of  this  little  bird  are  known  to  all. 
Eggs  four  or  five,  bluish  with  black  markings. 

Food — Weed  seeds,  especially  crab  grass  and  dandelion  seeds; 
occasionally  a  little  fruit;  many  insects.  The  Chippy  feeds  very 
largely  in  the  spring  and  early  summer  on  small  caterpillars. 
One  observer  saw  a  Chipping  Sparrow  eat  54  canker-worms  at  one 
sitting.  Particularly  fond  of  such  destructive  species  as  the  gipsy 
and  brown-tail  caterpillars;  codling  moth,  tent  caterpillar,  forest 
tent  caterpillar,  and  currant  worms;  devours  three  species  of  Iarva3 
that  feed  on  cabbage  plants. 

563.  Field  Sparrow  (Spizella  pusilla) .  Male  and  female.  This 
species  must  be  carefully  distinguished  from  the  preceding.  A  bird 
of  old  fields  and  woodland.  In  musical  ability  it  far  exceeds  its 
more  domestic  cousin,  the  Chippy.  Indeed,  of  all  the  good  singers 
in  the  large  sparrow  family,  there  are  few  that  surpass  this  plain 
little  bird  in  sweetness  of  song. 

Geog.  Dist.— Eastern  United  States  and  Southern  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  every  part  of  the  state  that  the  writer 
has  visited,  excepting  the  higher  mountain  regions. 

Nest — On  the  ground  or  in  low  bushes.  A  favorite  nesting  place 
in  this  section  is  in  a  bunch  of  Virginia  Beard-grass  ("Broom- 
sedge"). 


1908]  BIRDS.  37 

Food — Weed  seeds  in  great  abundance.  Destroys  many  May 
flies,  leaf  hoppers,  and  sawflies. 

567.  Slate-colored  Junco  (Junco  hyemalias) .  Male  and  female. 
•Commonly  called  "Snow  bird". 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  winter.  In  the  mountains  of  the  state 
the  Carolina  Junco  (Junco  hyemalis  carolinensis) ,  a  sub-species 
that  is  very  similar  to  the  Slate-colored  Junco,  may  be  found 
breeding  in  great  abundance.  On  the  highest  mountain  in  W.  Va., 
Spruce  Knob,  the  Carolina  Junco  nests  in  considerable  numbers. 

Nest — On  or  near  the  ground.  The  Carolina  Junco  prefers  to 
place  its  nest  among  the  roots  of  an  up-turned  black  spruce  tree. 
However,  on  the  top  of  Spruce  Knob,  all  the  nests  that  were  found 
were  placed  in  a  sheltered  spot  on  the  ground.  Evidently  the  nests 
were  thus  placed  that  they  might  have  greater  protection  from  the 
winds  that  blow  almost  constantly  in  such  high  and  exposed  places. 
Eggs,  four  or  five,  white  or  bluish  white  with  small  spots  of  rufous- 
brown. 

Food — Mostly  pernicious  weed  seeds. 

581.  Song  Sparrow  (Melospiza  melodia).  Male  and  female. 
This  bird  may  be  known  by  his  black  "breat  pin". 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  Plains,  breeding  from 
Virginia  northward  to  the  Fur  Countries. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Perhaps  no  other  species  is  more  generally  dis- 
tributed within  our  state.  Especially  common  along  streams.  In 
abundance  along  the  Elk,  Great  Kanawha,  and  Ohio  Rivers.  In 
the  Webster  County  glades  I  found  it  to  be  one  of  the  most  common 
species.  In  August,  1906,  I  found  this  species  breeding  high  up  in 
the  Back  Allegheny  Mountains. 

Nest — One  summer  I  found  two  nests  of  this  species.  The  first 
was  in  a  depression  in  the  ground,  at  least  six  inches  in  depth ;  the 
second  was  on  top  of  a  board  fence  where  wild  fox  grape  vinos 
liad  grown  into  a  cluster  thus  supporting  the  nest  that  was  saddled 
on  the  top-most  board  of  the  fence. 

Food — Many  weed  seeds  such  as  the  polygonum,  crab  grass, 
and  pigeon  grass.  Harmful  insects,  such  as  caterpillars  and  plant 
lice,  make  up  18  per  cent  of  the  food. 

584.  Swamp  Sparrow  (Melospiza  georgiana}.  A  pair.  A  quiet 
and  elusive  species. 


38  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  and  as  far  north  as  Labra- 
dor. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rarely  seen  in  this  state.  Reported  from  the 
eastern  pan-handle  by  Mr.  Eifrig.  Mr.  Brewster  saw  a  few  in- 
dividuals of  this  species  in  Ritchie  Co.,  in  May,  1874.  The  writer 
has  seen  the  Swamp  Sparrow  but  two  or  three  times  within  this, 
state. 

Nest — Ori  the  ground. 

Food — Insects  and  seeds. 

585.  Fox  Sparrow  (Passerella  iliaca) .  Male  and  female.  Note- 
the  thrush-like  appearance  of  this  large  sparrow.  One  of  the 
most  beautiful  members  of  the  sparrow  family.  A  good  songster. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  from  the  Gulf  States 
northward  to  the  Arctic  coast.  Found  in  the  Yukon  Valle}',  Alaska. 
This  species,  like  the  Song  Sparrow,  seems  to  be  particularly 
susceptible  to  climatic  influence.  Consequently,  there  are  several 
geographic  races  of  this  species. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Spends  the  winter  in  this  section  of  country. 
Quite  common  in  West  Virginia  in  the  colder  part  of  the  year.. 
To  be  found  in  brushy  thickets. 

Nest — In  low  trees  and  bushes.    Breeds  in  the  far  north. 

Food — Great  seed-eaters  while  spending  the  winter  in  this  lat- 
itude. 

587.  Towhee  (Pipilo  erythrophthalmus} .  Male  and  female- 
adults.  Often  called  "Jo-ee"  or  "Ground  Robin". 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  and  Southern  Canada. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  all  over  the  state.  This  species 
is  abundant  in  the  mountains.  Wherever  there  are  old  fields  or- 
thickets  the  Towhees  may  be  found  at  any  time  in  the  year,  though 
they  are  not  nearly  so  common  in  the  winter  as  in  the  summer. 

Nest — On  or  near  the  ground.  The  nest  is  usually  found  about 
blackberry  bushes  or  other  tangles  of  shrubbery.  Four  to  five 
spotted  eggs. 

Food — "While  scratching  and  digging  among  the  leaves  in  early 
spring  it  unearths  many  dormant  insects,  and  disposes  of  them  ero 
they  have  an  opportunity  to  propagate  their  kind''  (Forbush). 

593.  Cardinal  (Cardinalis  cardinalis).  Male  and  female.  Knowni 
to  most  persons  as  "Red  Bird". 


1908]  BIKDS.  39 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  the  Great  Lakes. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  the  lower  parts  of  the  state.  In  the 
mountains  it  is  replaced  by  its  near  relative,  the  Rose-breasted 
Grosbeak.  On  Feb.  24,  1908,  I  saw  thirty-three  Cardinals  in  one 
flock  near  Weston,  W.  Va. 

Nest — In  bushes.    Breeds  in  great  numbers  in  this  state. 

Food — Seeds   and   insects. 

595.  Rose-breasted  Grosbeak  (Habia  ludoviciana).  Male  and 
female.  This  lovely  bird  is  well  named. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Carolina* 
northward. 

W.  Va,  Dist. — Very  common,  even  abundant,  in  the  higher 
mountains.  In  most  parts  of  the  state  it  appears  only  as  a  rare 
migrant  in  spring  and  fall.  Mr.  Thad.  Surber  says.  "Breeds  on 
Cold  Knob"  (Greenbrier  County). 

Nest — In  bushes  or  trees.  Breeds  in  great  numbers  in  the  Alle- 
gheny Mountains. 

Food — Fruits,  seeds,  insects.  For  full  notes  on  food-habits  of 
this  bird,  see  "Food  Habits  of  the  Grosbeaks",  Bulletin  No.  32, 
Biological  Survey,  1908. 

597.  Blue  Grosbeak  (Guiraca  caendea).    Male  and  female.  Care- 
fully compare  this  species  with  the  next  named  on  the  list. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  from  New  Jersey  south- 
ward to  Cuba  and  Mexico. 

AY.  Va.  Dist. — Very  rare  in  this  state.  A  southern  bird  that 
does  not  often  come  so  far  north.  Doan  records  it  in  his  list  </£ 
West  Virginia  birds. 

Nest — In  bushes.     Three  to  four  bluish  white  eggs. 

Food — Fruit,  grain,  weed  seeds,  and  such  insects  as  the  following : 
Ground  beetles,  caterpillars,  stink-bugs,  cicadas.  McAtee  says  that 
injurious  bettles  form  24%  of  this  grosbeak's  food. 

598.  Indigo  Bunting   (Cyanospiza  cyanea).     Male  and  female. 
A  bird  of  beautiful  plumage  and  sweet  song.     Not  to  be  confused 
with  the  common  Bluebird. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States.  South  in  winter  to  Central 
America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — One  of  our  very  common  birds.  Generally  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  state.  Common  in  the  mountains  as  well 
as  in  the  lower  elevations. 


40  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Nest — In  a  bush  or  among  briers.  Three  to  four  pale  bluish 
white  eggs.  Look  for  the  nest  in  old  fields; 

Food — Of  great  service  about  gardens  where  it  eats  many  insects 
and  pernicious  seeds.  Especially  fond  of  caterpillars. 

608.  Scarlet  Tanager  (P^remgo.  erytkromelas) .  Male  and  female. 
Note  the  great  difference  in  the  coloring  of  the  male  and  female. 
In  the  winter  the  male  takes  on  the  less  conspicious  colors  of  the 
female.  Is  this  true  of  other  birds  where  the  male  is  so  much  more 
liighly  colored  than  the  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  the  Plains,  north  to 
•Ontario. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state. 

Nest — Near  the  end  of  a  horizontal  limb,  several  feet  from  the 
ground.  Nest  often  found  in  West  Virginia  woods. 

Food — "In  its  food  preferences  the  Tanager  is  the  appointed 
guardian  of  the  oaks.  We  are  much  indebted  to  this  beautiful  bird 
for  its  share  in  the  preservation  of  this  noble  and  valuable  tree." 
Feeds  on  many  destructive  insects. 

610.  Summer  Tanager   (Piranga  rubra).     A  pair.     Note  that 
this  species  does  not  have  the  black  wings  which  characterize  the 
former  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  but  more  southern  than  last 
named  species. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  along  the  Ohio,  Great  Kanawha,  Elk, 
and  Little  Kanawha  Rivers.  Not  found  in  Upshur  County  or  oth3r 
sections  up  towards  the  mountains. 

Nest — In  a  tree.     Three  to  four  spotted  eggs. 

Food — Tree-inhabiting  insects. 

611.  Purple  Martin    (Progne  subis).     Male  and  female.     Our 
largest  swallow. 

Geog.  Dist. — Temperate  North  America,  north  to  Ontario  and  the 
"Saskatchewan,  south  to  the  higher  parts  of  Mexico,  wintering  ia 
'South  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state. 

Nest — In  boxes  or  in  hollow  trees. 

Food — Mr.  Ridgeway  says,  "No  bird  of  North  America  is  more 
deserving  of  protection  and  of  encouragement  to  live  about  the 
liabitations  of  man  than  the  Purple  Martin.  One  pair  of  them  will 


1908]  BIBDS:  41 

•destroy  more  insects  in  a  season  than  all  the  English  Sparrows  in 
a  township  will  kill  in  their  life-time."  Recent  investigations  con- 
ducted by  the  U.  S.  Dept.  of  Agr.  have  proven  that  the  swallows 
-are  valuable  in  the  destruction  of  the  Cotton-boll  Weevil. 

612.  Cliff  Swallow   (Petrochelidon  lunifrons).     One  specimen. 
.Not  so  well  known  in  this  state  as  in  some  other  parts  of  the  country. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America,  north  to  the  limit  of  trees. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Not  common.  Mr.  Jacobs  speaks  of  seeing  large 
flocks  of  these  birds  on  the  23rd  of  August,  1897,  near  Morgantown. 
The  writer  has  seen  Cliff  Swallows  a  few  times  as  they  seemed  to 
be  passing  over  this  state  on  their  migration  flights.  I  have  heard 
of  a  few  pairs  nesting  in  West  Virginia,  but  the  records  are  not 
authentic,  with  the  single  exception  of  Scott's  record  of  the  nesting 
of  this  species  in  Kanawha  County. 

Nest — Pocket-shaped  nests  of  mud  on  the  sides  of  a  cliff  or  under 
the  eaves  of  a  barn. 

Food — "The  benefits  derived  from  this  bird  appear  to  be  much 
greater  than  any  injury  it  may  do  in  eating  parasitic  insects. M 
(See  "Birds  in  Their  Relation  to  Man"  by  Weed  and  Dearborn, 
-p.  128,  9.) 

613.  Barn  Swallow  (Hirundo  erythrog aster} .    Male  and  female. 
Geog.  Dist. — North  America  in  general,  breeding  from  the  Fur 

Countries  south  into  Mexico.    Winters  in  South  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — Of  mud  and  grass  attached  to  the  rafter  of  a  barn  or  other 
out-building.  Four  to  six  spotted  eggs. 

Food— Among  our  most  useful  birds  as  they  feed  largely  on 
harmful  insects. 

614.  Tree  Swallow  (Tachycineta  bicolor).    Male  and  female. 
Geog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Not  very  common  in  parts  of  the  state.  Quito 
common  in  Upshur  County.  Rare  along  the  Ohio  Valley.  West 
Virginia  records  made  bjr  Surber,  Doan,  and  Brewster. 

Nest— In  a  hollow  tree  or  bird-box. 

Food— Eats  many  dragon  flies.     Some  fruit. 

616.  Bank  Swallow  (Clivicola  riparia).  A  pair.  Look  for  this 
little  swallow  along  the  banks  of  large  streams.  Not  to  be  confused 
with  the  next  species. 


42  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Geog.  Dist. — America,  Europe,  Asia,  and  Africa..  Nearly  cosmo- 
politan. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  along  all  our  larger  streams. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  river  bank,  or  other  sand  bank,  or,  some  times, 
in  holes  in  stone  walls. 

Food — Insects  that  are  injurious  to  field  and  meadow  grasses. 

j 

617.  Rough-winged  Swallow  (Stelgidopteryx  ser ripen nis).  One 
adult.  Sexes  almost  alike. 

Geog.  Dist. — United  States  at  large. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Brewster  and  Ingersoll  report  this  species  as  breed- 
ing in  several  places  in  Ritchie  County  in  1874.  I  have  seen  the 
bird  in  Doddridge  County.  Not  at  all  common. 

Nest — Under  bridges  or  in  a  hole  in  a  bank.  Four  to  eight  white 
eggs. 

Food — Very  little  seems  to  be  known  concerning  the  food-habits 
of  this  species.  Of  course  it  feeds  on  insects. 

> 

619.  Cedar  Waxwing  (Hornby cilia  cedroriim) .  Male  and  female. 
The  only  representative  of  this  family  found  in  the  state. 

Greog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large,  from  the  Fur  Countries 
southward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  every  part  of  the  state.  Abundant 
in  the  mountains.  These  birds  gather  in  large  flocks  in  the  fall. 
Some  times  spend  the  winter  in  this  state. 

Nests — Bulky  nest  in  fruit  or  shade  trees.  Common  breeder  in 
West  Virginia. 

Food — They  eat  cherries,  strawberries,  and  other  kinds  of  fruits. 
Considering  the  number  of  insects  they  devour,  they  must,  howeverr 
be  classed  as  beneficial  birds.  Very  fond  of  wild  poke  berries. 
Destroy  many  cankerworms. 

622.  Loggerhead  Shrike  (Lanius  ludoviciamis) .  Male  and  fe- 
male. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  along  the  Ohio  River.    Rare  elsewhere. 

Nest — Placed  in  low  thorny  trees.  I  have  never  heard  of  a  nest 
being  found  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — Mice  form  50%  of  the  food  in  winter.  They  eat  many 
grasshoppers  and  small  birds.  The  food  is  impaled  upon  a  thorn 
from  which  it  is  eaten  at  the  bird's  leisure. 


1908]  BIRDS.  43 

624.  Red-eyed  Vireo  (Virsosylva  olivacea).  Male  and  female. 
More  generally  known  than  any  other  member  of  this  family  of 
woodland  birds. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  the  Arctic  regions. 

W.  Va,  Dist. — Very  common  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — Pensile  in  a  forked  branch,  not  far  from  the  ground,  five 
to  forty  feet  up. 

Food — "it  is  universally  recognized  as  a  great  insect-eater'' 
(Weed  and  Dearborn).  Especially  valuable  as  a  destroyer  of 
insects  that  attack  forest  trees.  Sometimes  eat  berries. 

I 

627.  Warbling  Vireo  (Vireosylva  gilva}.  A  pair.  These  Vireos 
are  more  common  about  our  cities  and  towns  than  the  other  members 
of  this  family.     The  Warbling  Vireo  should  be  well  known  to  all 
on  account  of  its  sweet  song  and  useful  habits.     No  birds  sings 
more  persistently  nor  more  sweetly  from  the  shade  trees  along  the 
streets  than  does  this  small  vireo,  yet  the  passer-by  does  not  know 
the  bird,  and  is  ignorant  of  its  form,  its  song,  and  its  habits. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  in  general,  from  the  Fur  Countries 
to  Oaxa/ca,  Mexico. 

W.Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state.    Not  found  in  the 
mountain  sections. 

Nest — Pensile,  suspended  from  a  forked  branch  eight  to  forty 
feet  up. 

Food — Insects  that  feed  on  the  foliage  of  shade  trees.  An  im- 
mensely useful  species. 

628.  Yellow-throated  Vireo  (Lanivireo  flavifrons) .  Male  and  fe- 
male. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  Ontario. 
W.  Va.  Dist. — Tolerably  common  in  woodlands. 
Nest — Suspended  from  a  forked  branch  ten  to  forty  feet  up. 
Three  to  four  spotted  eggs. 
Food — Forest  insects. 

629.  Blue-headed  Vireo  (Lanivireo  solitanus).  Male  and  female, 
A  subspecies,  the  Mountain  Solitary  Vireo,  is  some  times  found  in 
this  state. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  north  to 
Hudson  Bay. 

W.   Va.   Dist. — An  uncommon   migrant,   save   in  the   mountain 


44  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

regions  where  the  subspecies,  as  noted  above,  occurs  in  the  summer- 
time. 

Nest — Hanging  nest,  suspended  to  a  forked  branch  five  to  ten  feet 

Food — Forest  insects.   , 

631.  White-eyed  Vireo  (Vireo  griseus).  A  pair.  A  bird 
of  peculiar  notes  and  actions.  For  observations  on  this  bird  in 
W^est  Virginia  see  West  Virginia  School  Journal,  December,  1908. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  from  New  England  south- 
ward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  along  the  valleys  of  the  Elk,  Great 
ICanawha,  Greenbrier,  Ohio,  and  Little  Kanawha  Rivers.  In  several 
years  residence  along  the  Monongahela  and  the  West  Fork  I  have 
not  seen  a  single  specimen  of  this  Vireo.  For  many  years  I  looked 
for  this  bird  in  Upshur  County,  but  failed  to  find  it  there. 

Nest — Suspended  from  a  forked  branch  in  a  thicket. 

Food — Some  fruit.     Many  insects  of  trees  and  shrubbery. 

636.  Black  and  White  Warbler   (Mniotilta  varia).       A  pair. 
This  bird  may  be  known  always  by  its  plain  black  and  white  stripes. 
In  its  habit  of  running  up  and  down  trees,  it  is  like  a  creeper. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  from  New  England  south- 
ward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  the  summer  months.  Reaches  Wf-st 
Virginia  about  the  10th  of  April  and  remain  till  the  last  of  Septem- 
ber. Not  very  common  in  the  higher  portions  of  the  state. 

Nest — On  the  ground  by  the  roots  of  a  tree  or  under  the  edge  of 
a  log  or  rock. 

Food — Insects  that  are  found  on  the  trunks  of  trees. 

637.  Prothonotary  Warbler  (Phrotonotaria  citrea).     One  male 
adult.    A  beautiful  warbler  found  about  streams  and  swamps. 

Geog.  Dist. — South-eastern  and  Central  United  States. 
W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Doan  says,  "I  took  a  specimen  of  this  fine 
•warbler  Aug.  3,  near  Buckhannon.  in  a  swampy  woods." 
Nest — In  a  hole  in  tree. 
Foods — Insects  that  are  found  about  water. 

639.  Worm-eating  Warbler  (Helmitherus  vermivorus) .  One 
•specimen.  A  very  plain,  yet  beautiful  bird.  The  song  of  this 


1908]  BIRDS.  45- 

Warbler  is  so  nearly  like  that  of  the  Chipping  Sparrow  that  tho 
two  are  often  confused.  Both  sexes  have  the  black  and  yellow 
stripes  on  the  head,  and,  by  the  same  markings,  this  species  may  be 
known  at  every  stage  of  its  plumage-development. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  southward  from  New  York. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  well-wooded  sections  of  the  state. 

Nest — On  the  ground.  Four  to  six  spotted  eggs.  Breeds  in  West 
Virginia. 

Food — Forest  insects  that  keep  near  the  ground.  Very  little 
seems  to  be  known  concerning  the  food-habits  of  this  species. 

641.  Blue-winged  Warbler  (Helminthophila  pinus).    One  speci- 
men, male  adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  from  iiouthem  New  England 
southward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — There  are  very  few  records  of  the  occurrence  of 
this  Warbler  in  our  state. 

Nest — On  the  ground. 

Food — Larvae  that  feed  on  oak  and  chestnut  leaves,  and  other 
insects. 

642.  Golden-winged    Warbler    (Helminthophila    chrysoptera ) . 
Male  and  female.    This  species  may  be  found  about  old  brier-fields 
and  in  open  woods.    A  very  beautiful  bird.    When  once  the  song 
of  this  bird  is  heard,  it  is  not  likely  to  be  forgotten. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  southern  New 
England. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rather  rare  summer  resident  in  most  parts  of 
the  state.  In  Wood  and  Upshur  Counties,  I  have  observed  this 
species  in  the  nesting  season.  In  the  summers  of  1907  and  1908 
I  found  this  bird  breeding  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  glados 
about  Cowen,  Webster  County. 

Nest — On  or  near  the  ground  in  fields  or  glades  or  open  woods. 

Food— ''This  bird  must  be  a  great  destroyer  of  leaf  lice  and  small 
caterpillars  that  infest  the  tips  of  branches  and  the  underside  of 
leaves,  for  they  are  continually  searching  and  picking  at  the  open- 
ing buds  and  waxen  leaves  at  the  ends  of  new  twigs,  the  male 
pausing  frequently  to  sing.  At  times  their  actions  remind  one 
of  the  Gnatcatcher  in  flitting  hither  and  thither  snatching  up 
small  winged  mites."  (See  Jacobs,  "The  Haunts  of  the  Golden- 
winged  Warbler",  p.  22). 


46  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

645.  Nashville  Warbler  (Helminthophila  ruficapilla).  Male  and 
female.  This  species  is  known  by  very  few  persons.  Found 
often  about  orchard  trees  in  the  spring.  Rather  inconspicuous  in 
both  coloring  and  song. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains,  north  to  the 
Fur  Countries.  Breeding  from  northern  United  States  northward. 

W.  Va,  Dist. — The  writer  has  observed  this  species  several  times 
in  Upshur  and  Wood  Counties.  Accredited  to  West  Virginia  by 
Doan. 

Nest— On  the  ground.    Breeds  north  of  the  United  States. 

Food — Nashville  Warblers  have  been  observed  feeding  upon 
young  tent  caterpillars  and  other  species  of  destructive  caterpillars, 
and,  in  the  west,  large  numbers  of  young  locusts  are  eaten  by  this 
little  bird. 

647.  Tennessee  Warbler   (Helmmthophila  peregrina).     A  pair 
of  adults.    A  very  interesting  migratory  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  New  Eng- 
land northward  to  Hudson  Bay  Territory. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — W.  D.  Doan  says,  "Took  specimen  near  Fairmont, 
Sept.  12."  I  have  observed  this  very  plainly  marked  little  Warbler 
a  few  times  in  various  parts  of  the  state. 

Nest — In  low  bushes  near  the  ground.  Chapman  says,  "Little 
seems  to  be  known  about  the  nesting  habits  of  this  Warbler." 

Food — "It  searches  diligently  for  the  insect  mites  that  infest 
the  foliage  of  trees,  seeming  to  have  a  special  fondness  for  aphides, 
forty-two  of  which  have  been  taken  from  the  stomachs  of  three  of 
these  birds."  (Weed  and  Dearborn). 

648.  Parula  Warbler  (Co-mpsothlypis  amcricana).    Male  and  fe- 
male.   One  of  the  daintiest  and  most  beautiful  of  all  our  woodland 
birds.     Keeps  well  up  towards  the  tops  of  forest  trees  and  is  not 
often  observed. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  and  southern  United  States.  In  the  north- 
ern States 'a  subspecies,  the  Northern  Parula  Warbler,  takes  the 
place  of  this  species. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  the  summer  season  throughout 
the  greater  part  of  .this  state. ' 

Nest — In  bunches  of  Usnea  moss. 

Food — Woodland  insects. 


1908]  BIRDS.  47 

650.  Cape  May  Wabler  (Dendroica  tigrina).  A  pair  of  adults. 
A  richly  colored  migrant  species.  To  be  looked  for  in  the  spring 
and  fall  only. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Lake  Winnipeg 
and  Hudson  Bay,  and  west  to  the  Plains. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Quite  common  in  the  spring  and  fall  migration 
seasons.  Some  times  individuals  will  linger  about  evergreen  trees 
for  several  weeks  as  they  go  northward. 

Nest — On  branch  of  tree.  Breeds  northward  to  the  Arctic  regions. 

Food — Very  little  is  known  of  the  feeding  habits  of  this  bird. 
I  have  seen  this  species  eating  small  insects  from  evergreen  trees 
and  from  fruit  and  woodland  trees  in  the  spring.  Especially  fond 
of  insects  that  infest  spruce  trees.  Some  times  opens  ripe  grapes 
and  drinks  the  juice. 

652.  Yellow  Warbler  (Dendroica  a-estiva}.  A  male  and  female 
represent  this  very  common  species  in  the  collection.  Unlike  many 
of  the  Warblers,  this  species  is  found  commonly  about  orchards, 
and  in  the  shade  trees  along  city  streets. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large,  excepting  the  south-western 
part. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Brewster  says  of  this  species,  as  he  found  it 
in  Ritchie  County  in  1874,  ''Restricted  entirely  to  belt  of  willows/7 
Common  in  all  the  lower-lying  sections  of  the  state. 

Xest — In  orchard  trees.  Eggs,  four  to  five,  bluish  white  with 
brown  spots.  The  nest  of  this  bird  often  contains  one  or  more 
eggs  of  the  Cowbird. 

Food — Weed  and  Dearborn  say,  "The  food  habits  of  the  Yellow 
Warbler  are  all  that  could  be  desired.  It  freely  visits  farm  premises 
and  feeds  on  minute  insects  of  many  kinds."  Often  feeds  upon 
canker  worms.  Tent  caterpillars,  adult  currant  borers,  codling 
moths,  and  other  harmful  insects  of  orchard  and  garden  are  a  part 
of  this  Warbler's  food. 

654.  Black-throated  Blue  Warbler  (Dendraica  caerulescens}. 
Adult  male  and  female.  Migrant.  To  be  seen  only  in  the  woods. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  as  far  north  as  Labrador. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  our  state  in  the  autumn  migra- 
tion. Not  so  frequently  seen  in  the  spring.  A  subspecies,  known  as 
Cairn's  Warbler,  is  abundant  in  the  summer  time  in  the  mountains 


48  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

of  West  Virginia.  Cairn's  Warbler  may  be  found  nesting  in  any 
of  the  higher  ranges  of  the  Alleghenies. 

Nest — In  shrubbery  near  the  ground.  Eggs,  three  to  five,  almost 
white  with  spots  about  the  larger  end. 

Food — Like  the  Cape  May  Warbler,  this  species'  is  some  times 
guilty  of  sucking  the  juice  of  ripe  grapes.  Otherwise  the  bird  h  use~ 
ful  in  destroying  insects  which  feed  upon  the  buds  and  leaves  of 
forest  trees. 

655.  Myrtle  Warbler  (Dendroica  coronata).  A  pair  of  adults. 
Note  the  four  large  patches  of  yellow  on  the  male.  The  species. 
may  be  identified  at  any  time  by  the  yellow  on  its  rump.  Often 
called  the  Yellow-rumped  Warbler. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  sometimes  straggling  west- 
ward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  very  common  migrant,  occasionally  remaining 
throughout  the  winter. 

Nest — Breeding  range  from  northern  states  northward.  Low  in 
coniferous  trees. 

Food — Insects  and  berries  of  certain  kinds,  especially  myrtle  ber- 
ries. 

657.  Magnolia  Warbler  (Dendrocia  magnolia).  Two  specimens, 
male  and  female.     One  of  the  prettiest  birds  to  be  found  in  West 
Virginia,     Often  called  ''Black  and  Yellow  Warbler''. 

Geog.  Dist, — North  America,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ami 
north  to  Hudson  Bay  Territory. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Through  most  parts  of  the  state  this  Warbler 
passes  in  great  number  in  both  the  migration  seasons.  In  the  higher 
Alleghenies,  this  species  breeds  and  may  be  found  at  any  time  in 
the  summer  months.  In  the  Back  Allegheny  Mountains  near  Cheat 
Bridge,  I  found  old  birds  feeding  their  young  as  late  as  the  middle 
of  August  in  1906. 

Nest — Usually  in  a  small  spruce  tree  only  a  few  feet  from  the 
ground.  For  a  very  interesting  account  of  the  nesting  habits  of 
this  and  other  Warblers,  see  Chapman's  ''The  Warblers  of  North 
America. ' ' 

Food — Plant  lice  and  other  insects.  Very  little  is  known  of  its- 
food  habits. 

658.  Cerulean  Warbler  (Dendroica  cerulea).  Adult  male  and  fe- 
male. 


PURPLE    FINCH. 
(UPPER  FIGURE,  MALE;   LOWER  FIGURE,  FEMALE.) 


Order — PASSERES. 
Genus— CAR  PODACUS. 


Family — FRINGILLID/C. 
Species — PURPUREA. 


1908]  BIRDS.  4S> 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  and  southern  Ontario.  Moit 
common  in  the  valley  of  the  Ohio  River. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — As  already  indicated  the  Cerulean  Warbler  is  to 
be  found  in  largest  numbers  in  the  Ohio  Valley.  In  the  oak-covered 
ridges,  back  a  little  from  the  Ohio  River.  I  have  found  this  species 
in  very  great  numbers.  Indeed,  at  times,  almost  every  tree  seemed 
to  contain  one  or  more  of  these  charming  little  birds.  The  song1 
is  very  cheerful. 

Nest — In  large  trees.     Breeds  in  West  Virginia. 

Food — I  have  observed  this  species  feeding  upon  little  moths  and 
other  insects  found  about  the  tops  of  chestnut  oak  trees. 

659.  ,  Chestnut-sided  Warbler  (Dendroica  pensylvanica] .     Male, 
female,  and  young.     Very  appropriately  named.     In  life  this  is  one 
of  oiu-  most  attractive  Warblers.     The  cheerful  song  and  alert  ways 
of  this  little  bird  are  very  pleasing  to  any  one  who  essays  to  study 
its  habits. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Surber  says  of  this  species  in  Greenbrier 
County,  "A  rare  summer  resident.  Have  found  one  nest  contain- 
ing four  eggs  of  this  species."  I  have  found  this  Warbler  breeding 
in  considerable  numbers  in  the  glades  of  Webster  County.  In  most 
parts  of  the  state  it  appears  only  as  a  migrant.  One  may  look  for 
these  graceful  little  birds  about  the  2nd  day  of  May.  For  a  fewr 
days  they  remain,  then  pass  on  to  their  breeding  grounds.  In  the 
fall  they  return  in  the  middle  of  September,  then  journey  on  south- 
ward with  the  great  Warbler  hosts. 

Xest — In  bushes  a  few  feet  up.  I  found  a  nest  in  Webster  County 
that  was  built  in  a  Clammy  Azalea  bush  that  was  then  in  full 
bloom.  The  surroundings  of  the  nest  were  most  beautiful. 

Food — "It  is  very  destructive  to  many  injurious  beetles  an-1 
caterpillars,  being  one  of  the  most  active  consumers  of  leaf  eating 
insects.  "  (Weed  and  Dearborn)  ". 

660.  Bay-breasted   Warbler    (Dendroica   casianea) .     Male   and 
female.     The  colors  of  this  Warbler  are  iruch  like  those  of  tho 
Chestnut-sided   Warbler.     A   rare   bird   in   most   localities,   but    i\ 
species  of  great  interest. 

Geog.   Dist. — Eastern  North  America,   north  to   Newfoundland. 
W.  Va.   Dist. — Seen   in  our  state   onlv   as   a  migrant.     Alwavs 


50  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

rather  rare,  though  I  have  seen  a  great  many  in  some  autumn  ini- 
.gration  seasons. 

Nest — Up  several  feet  in  coniferous  trees.  Breeds  in  extreme 
northern  United  States  and  northward. 

Food — Such  insects  as  live  in  the  tops  of  coniferous  trees. 

661.  Black-poll  Warbler  (Dendroica  striata).  Male  and  female. 
A  modestly  colored  species,  but  most  beautiful  when  seen  moving' 
about  gracefully  in  the  green  tree  tops.     Langille  says  of  the  song 
of  this  northern  Warbler,  ''There  is  a  peculiar  soft  and  tinkling 
sweetness  in  this  melody,  suggestive  of  the  quiet  mysteries  of  the 
forest,  and  sedative  as  an  anodyne  to  the  nerves." 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains, north  to  Greenland,  the  Barren  Grounds,  and  Alaska. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — This  species  appears  in  our  section  only  as  it  passes 
from  its  breeding  grounds  in  the  far  north  to  its  winter  home  in 
South  America.  In  the  spring  it  is  not  often  observed  as  it  passes 
through  this  latitude  quite  hurriedly,  but  in  the  fall  great  numbers 
•of  the  young  may  be  seen  in  the  woods,  and  they  linger,  sometimes, 
for  several  weeks. 

Nest— Generally  placed  in  a  low  spruce  tree.  Four  to  five  speck- 
led eggs. 

Food — Plant  lice  and  other  insects.  Feeding  habits  not  well 
known. 

662.  Blackburnian  Warbler    (Dendroica  Uackburniac) .     Adult 
male  and  female.     Few  birds  are  more  richly  colored  than  th's 
species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  Kansas,  and  north 
to  Labrador. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  rather  common  migrant.  It  is  quite  possible 
that  this  species  breeds  in  our  mountains,  but  I  have  never  found 
it  there  in  the  breeding  season.  Mr.  Edward  A.  Preble  found  the 
Blackburnian  Warbler  in  the  mountains  of  western  Maryland  in 
June  and  July,  1899. 

Nest — In  coniferous  trees  some  distance  from  the  ground. 

Food — Insects.  Very  little  has  been  recorded  concerning  the  food 
•  of  this  species. 

663.  Yellow-throated    Warbler     (Dendroica    dominica).     Male 
and  female. 


1908]  BIBDS.  51 

Geog.  Dist. — Southeastern  United  States,  as  far  north  as  Mary- 
land. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — ^Ir.  Doan  says  he  found  this  species  in  considerable 
numbers  along  the  head-waters  of  Middle  Fork  River.  Scott  re- 
ports that  a  male  and  female  were  taken  by  Mr.  W.  S.  Edwards  in 
Kanawha  County  some  years  ago. 

Nest — In  tall  trees.  No  record  of  the  breeding  of  this  species 
In  W.  Va. 

Food — As  in  the  case  of  so  many  of  our  Warblers,  very  little 
accurate  information  has  been  gathered  concerning  their  feeding 
habits.  Of  course  all  the  birds  of  this  family  feed  principally 
upon  insects,  but  the  exact  economic  status  of  the  various  species 
is  not  known.  Said  to  gather  most  of  their  iood  from  the  extremi- 
ties of  limbs,  among  the  pine  needles  which  grow  there. 

667.  Black-throated  Green  Warbler  (Dendroica  virens).  Male 
and  female.  The  black  on  the  throat  of  the  male  is  not  well  defined 
till  bird  is  mature.  A  common  and  very  pretty  species. 

Greog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Plains,  and 
north  to  Hudson  Bay  Territory. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  common  migrant.  In  the  mountains  the  bird 
remains  throughout  the  summer  and  breeds. 

Nest — In  tall  tree.     Breeds  in  our  state. 

Food — Caterpillars,  curculios  and  other  beetles,  small  bugs,  vari- 
ous Plymenoptera,  small  locusts,  and  cankerworms  are  recorded 
as  the  common  food  of  this  Warbler. 

671.     Pine  Warbler   (Dendroica  vigorsii).     A  pair  of  adults. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Recorded  from  this  state  by  Brewster,  Doan.  and 
Eifrig.  I  have  observed  this  species  occasionally,  but  not  often. 

Nest — Far  up  in  tall  trees,  mostly  coniferous  trees.  Four  to  five 
spotted  eggs. 

Food — Weed  and  Dearborn  say,  "It  is  undoubtedly  the  particu- 
lar guardian  of  the  pines,  about  which  it  remains  until  very  late 
in  the  season,  for  it  feeds  mainly  on  insects  that  infest  pine  trees. 
It  is  able  to  subsist  to  some  extent  on  the  seeds  of  pines." 

672a.  Yellow  Palm  Warbler  (Dendroica  palmarum  hypoclinj- 
sea).  Male  and  female  adult.  More  than  most  of  the  Warblers, 
this  spoeies  is  found  along  fences  and  in  open  fields.  May  bo  roadilv 
recognized  by  the  constant  wag  of  its  tail. 


52  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Geog.  Dist. — Atlantic  States,  north  to  Hudson  Bay.  ^ 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Quite  common  in  the  migration  seasons.  It  is 
probable  that  both  the  Palm  Warbler  and  the  Yellow  Palm  Warbler 
may  yet  be  reported  from  this  state.  Indeed,  I  am  inclined  to 
believe  that  the  most  common  form  found  in  this  state  is  D.  pal- 
marum* 

Nest — On  or  near  the  ground.     Breeds  far  to  the  north. 

Food — Such  insects  as  are  found  in  its  haunts. 

673.  Prairie  Warbler   (Dendroica  discolor).     Adult  male   and 
female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Reported  by  Doan  and  E  if  rig.  Apparently  rare 
in  this  state. 

Nest — In  bushes  on  sunny  hill-sides.  Breeds  from  Florida  to 
Michigan. 

Food — Insects.  I  find  no  careful  notes  on  food  habits  of  this, 
species. 

674.  Oven-bird  (Seiurus  aurocapillus) .     Male  and  female  adm L 
Often  called  ''Golden-crowned  Thrush*".     Sings  a  very  attractive 
aerial  song,  though  its  more  common  vocal  performance  has  little 
merit. 

Geog..  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  the  Hudson  Bay 
Territory  and  Alaska. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  all  parts  of  the  state.  Last  sum- 
mer (1908)  I  found  an  adult  with  young  just  from  the  nest  near 
the  summit  of  Spruce  Knob. 

Nest— An  oven-shaped  affair  on  the  ground  in  open  woods.  Eggs, 
four  to  five.  A  very  common  bird  in  our  state  in  the  breeding  sea- 
son. 

Food — Feeding  on  the  ground,  it  picks  up  many  grubs  and  other 
insects  that  infest  the  lower  shrubbery. 

675.  Water-Thrush  (Seiurus  novcboraaensis) .     Male  and  female 
adult.     A  thrush-like  Warbler  that  is  much  more  common  farther 
north  than  in  this  latitude. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  west  to  Illinois,  and  north 
to  Arctic  America. 

W.  .Va.  Dist. — This  species  has  been  recorded  from  this  state  by 
Brewster,  Scott,  Surber,  and  Doan.  I  have  seen  this  northern 


1908}  BIRDS.  53 

Water-Thrush  but  once  in.  the  state.  In  the  spring  of  1905  I  had  the 
opportunity  of  studying  one,  for  an  hour  or  more,  that  was  flying 
and  singing  along  a  small  stream  in  a  large  tract  of  woodland  near 
Waverly. 

Xest — Generally  in  a  mossy  bank.  Breeds  from  northern  United 
States  northward. 

Food — Insects  that  are  found  along  water-courses. 

676.  Louisiana  Water-Thrush   (Seiurus  motacilla).  One  adult. 
Compare  carefully  this  and  the  preceding  species.       The   great 
Audubon  considered  this  bird  to  be  the  best  of  American  songsters. 

G-eog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  Southern  New  Eng- 
land. 

AY.  Ara.  Dist. — Very  common  along  all  streams.  The  wagging 
of  the  tail,  the  sharp,  loud  chirp,  and  the  clear,  thrilling  song  are 
well-known  to  all  who  have  observed  this  bird.  Rather  rare  in  the 
mountains  though  I  have  found  it  in  the  Yew  Mountains. 

Xest — In  the  banks  along  streams.     Nests  commonly  in  this  state. 

Food — Insects  which  are  to  be  found  along  streams  and  on  the 
muddy  banks  of  pools. 

677.  Kentucky  Warbler    (Oporornis  formosa).       One  pair  of 
adults. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  but  not  very  far  north. 

AV.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  the  lower  wooded  regions  of  tho 
state. 

Xest — Made  of  dry  grasses  and  weed  stalks,  on  the  ground.  Four 
to  five  very  beautiful  eggs. 

Food — Ground   insects. 

678.  Connecticut  Warbler  (Oporornis  agilis).      One  adult. 
Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  and  Southern  Canada. 
W.  A^a.  Dist. — One  of  the  rarest  of  our  Warblers. 

X"est — On  the  ground.     Has  been  found  breeding  in  Manitoba. 
Food — Terrestrial      insects,   and  such  species  as  are   found  in 
swampy  places. 

679.  Mourning  AVarbler  (Oporornis  Philadelphia).      One  male. 
Comj^are  carefully  with  the  two  preceding  species. 

\Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America  to  the  Plains. 
W.  Va.  Dist. — For  some  years  this  species  had  been  classed  as 


54  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

a  rare  migrant  in  our  state,  but  Dr.  Rives  found  numbers  of  them 
in  the  mountains  about  Davis  in  the  summer  of  1897.  I  found  tin's 
interesting  species  breeding  on  Spruce  Knob  in  June,  1908.  On 
June  18,  I  saw  Mourning  Warblers  feeding  their  young  which  had 
just  left  the  nest. 

Nest — In  briars  or  weed  thickets  near  the  ground. 

Food — Feeds  on  insects,  but  the  character  of  its  insect  food  has 
not  been  studied  with  any  care. 

681.  Maryland  Yellow-throat  (GeoMypis  trichas).  Male  and 
female  adults. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — This  bird  has  been  reported  from  almost  all  parts- 
of  the  state,  but  in  certain  sections  is  called  rare.  In  central  W. 
Va.  it  is  quite  common  in  localities  where  there  are  many  streams 
and  much  meadow  land.  Exceedingly  abundant  in  the  glades  of 
Webster  County.  The  song  of  the  Maryland  Yellow-throat  is  the 
most  characteristic  song  of  the  glade  region,  unless  it  be  that  of  th^ 
Song  Sparrow. 

Nest — Often  found  in  a  tussock  of  grass  or  in  like  situation,  near 
the  ground.  Breeds  abundantly  in  some  sections  of  the  state. 

Food — Destroys  many  leaf  hoppers  and  grasshoppers  and  oth^r 
insects  that  are  harmful  to  grass-lands.  A  very  useful  bird. 

683.  Yellow-breasted  Chat   (Icteria  virens).     Male  and  female 
adults.     The  peculiar  song  of  this  species  should  be  known  by  every 
boy  and  girl  in  West  Virginia.     This  species  is  to  be  seen  in  briar 
fields  and  in  the  edges  of  woodland.     One  of  our  largest  Warblers. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  as  far  north  as  Ontario. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common  in  all  pats  of  this  state  outside  of 
the  more  elevated  portions. 

Nest — In  some  thicket,  or  bunch  of  briars.  Common  breeder  in 
W.  Va. 

Food — Insects  which  infest  shrubbery. 

684.  Hooded  Warbler  (Wilsonia  citrinu}.     Pair. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  as  far  north  as  southern  New 
England. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Most  students  of  the  birds  of  West  Virginia  hav^ 
called  this  a  very  common  species.  However,  it  is  not  generally 


19GS]  BIRDS.  55 

known.  Like  so  many  of  these  beautiful  Warblers,  persons,  gener- 
ally, are  unfamiliar  with  its  great  beauty  and  usefulness. 

Xest — I  have  found  a  number  of  the  nests  of  this  Warbler.  They 
are  placed,  as  a  usual  thing,  rather  low  in  the  crotch  of  a  bush  of 
some  kind. 

Food — Woodland  insects. 

685.  Wilson's  Warbler  (Wilsonia  pusilla).     A  pair  of  adults. 
Sometimes  called  the  Black-capped  Fly-catching  Warbler. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  Hudson  Bay,  Labra- 
dor, and  Alaska. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Known  in  this  state  only  as  a  rare  migrant. 

Xest — On  the  ground.  Breeds  north  of  the  United  States,  a  few 
nesting  in  northern  Maine. 

Food — I  have  no  food  record  of  this  species.  Often  flies  inlo 
the  air  and  catches  insects  on  the  wing. 

686.  Canadian  Warbler   (Wilsonia  canadensis).     Male  and  fe- 
male.    This  species  may  be  recognized  always  by  the  necklace  of 
black  spots  across  the  breast. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  to  Newfoundland  and 
Athabasca. 

AY.  Va.  Dist. — In  most  parts  of  the  state  a  rather  common  migrant. 
In  the  mountain  section  it  remains  through  the  summer  to  breed. 

Xest — On  the  ground  under  some  root  or  tuft  of  moss.  Nests 
in  this  state. 

Food — Insects. 

687.  American  Redstart    (Setophaga  ruticilla).     Male  and  fe- 
male.    Note  the  decided  difference  in  the  colors.     This  pretty  bird 
is  to  be  found  along  streams  in  the  deep  woods. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  far  to  the  north. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Abundant  in  most  parts  of  the  state.  Not  found 
in  the  mountains. 

Nest — In  the  crotch  of  a  sapling. 

Food — "Apparently  there  are  few  forest  insects  that  do  not.  iit 
some  forms,  fall  a  prey  to  the  Redstart.  It  takes  its  prey  from 
trunk,  limbs,  leaves,  and  from  the  air.  Destroys  some  useful  para- 
sitic Hymenoptera. ' ' 

703.  Mockingbird  (Mimuspolyglottos).  Male  and  female.  From 
these  specimens  and  the  specimens  of  the  two  species  following. 


5G  WEST  VIRGINIA.  [W.  VA. 

learn  the  real  difference  between  the  true  Mockingbird  and  those 
species  with  which  it  is  often  confused. 

Geog.  Dist.  —  Southern  United  States. 

AY.  Va.  Dist.  —  Extremely  rare  in  the  northern  part  of  the  state. 
Occasionally  seen  in  the  southern  parts  of  West  Virginia. 

Xest  —  In  thickets. 

Food—  So  much  has  been  said  of  the  song  of  this  species  that  one 
does  not  often  think  of  its  food.  Weed  and  Dearborn  say.  "Its 
food  appears  to  be  much  like  that  of  the  other  thrushes,  consisting 
of  about  equal  portions  of  insects  and  various  wild  and  cultivated 
fruits.  The  young  appear  to  be  fed  chiefly  upon  insects,  among 
which  the  moth  of  the  cotton-boll-worm  deserves  special  mention.'' 

704.     Catbird  (Dumatella  carolitiensis).     Male  and  female, 

Geog.  Dist.  —  Eastern  United  States  and  British  Provinces. 

W.  Va.  Dist.  —  An  abundant  species  in  all  parts  of  the  state. 
Found  along  streams,  even  hi<rh  up  in  the  mountains. 

Xest  —  In  thickets  or  in  trees  of  thick  foliage.  Eggs,  three  1  :> 
five,  dark  greenish  blue. 

Food  —  Often  destroys  much  fruit,  and  yet  the  species  is  not 
altogether  harmful.  It  has  been  suggested  that  the  planting  ,,£ 
wild  fruit  trees  or  such  varieties  as  the  Russian  mulberry  will  pro- 
tect the  finer  cultivated  varieties  from  these  fruit-loving  birds. 
Weed  and  Dearborn  say,  "We  have  no  doubt  that,  on  the  whole,  tho 
benefit  which  it  does  is  much  greater  than  the  harm,  and  iis  destruc- 
tion should  never  be  permitted  except  when  necessary  to  save 
precious  crops." 


705.  Brown  Thrasher  (Hari.onjHcliHx  rnfus).  Male  and  female, 
adults.  Often  called  "Mockingbird"'  or  "French  Mockingbird.'' 

Geog.  Dist.  —  Eastern  United  States,  north  to  Maine. 

W.  Va.'  Dist.—  Very  common  in  the  less  elevated  parts  of  tho 
state. 

Xest  —  In  heaps  of  brush,  thickets,  or  on  an  old  rail  fence.  Uarely 
on  the  ground.  Breeds  abundantly  in  this  section. 

Food  —  Eats  wild  and  cultivated  fruits.  A  great  destroyer  oP 
insects  of  many  kinds.  A  vcrv  beneficial  bird. 

« 

718.  Carolina.  Wren  (ThrtjoiJiorus  ludoviciaiius}.  Male  and 
female.  A  fine  songster,  as  are  all  the  wrens. 

f 


1908]  BIRDS.  57 


Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  southern  New  York. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Exceedingly  common  in  all  parts  of  the  state  that 
I  have  visited.  Is  to  be  found  well  up  on  the  sides  of  the  moun- 
tains, though  I  have  not  found  it  on  the  summits  of  our  loftier 
ranges.  Very  abundant  along  the  Ohio  and  its  larger  tributaries. 

Xest — Most  often  bill  It  in  crevices  about  buildings,  or  in  holes 
in  trees,  stumps,  or  logs.  I  have  found  this  species  nesting  in  dwell- 
ing-houses. 

Food — Many  kinds  of  destructive  insects. 

721.  House  Wren  (Troglodytes  aedon}.  One  adult  specimen. 
Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  more  common  towards  the 

north. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Xot  found  more  than  a  few  miles  west  of  the  sum- 
mit of  the  Alleghenies.  On  top  of  the  mountains,  it  is  quite  com- 
mon. "West  of  the  mountains,  this  species  is  replaced  by  the  abun- 
dant Bewick's  Wren. 

Xest — In  a  hole  in  a  tree,  bird-house,  or  crevice.  Last  summer  I 
found  a  nest  at  Osceola  in  a  crevice  in  an  old  spruce  root,  out  in 
the  open  field. 

Food — Its  diet  is  exclusively  insectivorous.  Feeds  principally 
upon  the  insects  that  are  very  destructive  to  orchard  and  garden 
plants,  shrubbery,  and  trees. 

722.  Winter  Wren        (Xannu*  liicnwlis}.       Male  and  female. 
This  is  our  smallest  Wren.     A  most  delightful  songster.     At  Horto.i, 
in  June  1908,  I  heard  the  Winter  Wren,  House  Wren,  Bewick's 
Wren,  and  Carolina  Wren  all  singing  at  the  same  time. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  Xorth  America  generally. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — In  the  lower  altitudes  in  the  state  this  tiny  bird  :s 
found  only  in  winter.  In  the  mountains,  from  3.500  ft.  up,  it  re- 
mains to  breed. 

Xest — In .  the  up-turned  roots  of  a  tree,  in  piles  of  brush,  arid 
sometimes  in  a  pocket  of  moss  on  the  side  of  a  tree.  Five  to  seven 
speckled  eggs.  I  have  found  two  nests  of  the  Winter  Wren  in  tho 
spruce  woods  above  Pickens.  Randolph  County. 

Food — Woodland  insects. 

T'^5.  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren  (Cistothorus  pahistris).  Male 
and  female  adults. 

Geog.   Dist. — Eastern  United   States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Mr.  Doan  says  he  observed  this  species  along  the 


58  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


Ohio  and  Great  Kanawha  Rivers.  In  four  years'  residence  on  tlie 
banks  of  the  Ohio  River  I  did  not  see  a  single  specimen  of  this 
Marsh  Wren. 

Nest — Among  reeds  or  bushes. 

Food — Said  to  feed  upon  insects,  spiders,  and  snails. 

726.  Brown  Creeper  (Certhia  familiaris  fusca).  Two  specimens. 
The  name  of  this  bird  is  a  good  description  of  it.     Can  not  be  mis- 
taken for  any  other  species. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Fairly  common  in  winter,  spring,  and  fall.  In 
the  mountains  it s  occurs  in  the  summer  months,  and  probably 
breeds  there. 

Nest — Placed  behind  the  loose  bark  of  trees.  Five  to  eight 
spotted  eggs. 

Food — Very  few  precise  determinations  of  its  food  have  been 
made.  Feeds  upon  insects  that  are  found  upon  the  bark  of  trees. 

727.  White-breasted  Nuthatch    (Sitta  carolinensis) .       Pair  of 
adults. 

Geog.   Dist. — Eastern  United   States,   from   Georgia  northward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  all  parts  of  the  state,  less  so  in  moun- 
tains. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  tree.  Five  to  eight  beautiful  eggs.  Nests- 
in  this  state. 

Food — Grains,  seeds,  and  insects.  This  species  destroys  many 
insects  in  the  egg  or  larva?  stage.  Feeding  constantly  upon  the 
insects  that  are  to  be  found  on  the  bark  of  trees,  it  must  be  that 
many  harmful  species,  such  as  Scolytids  and  other  tree  and  bark- 
boring  insects,  are  eaten.  This  bird  is  especially  useful  in  the 
winter  as  it  goes  over  the  tree  trunks  searching  every  nook  and 
cranny. 

728.  Red-breasted  Nuthatch   (Sitta  canadensis) .     Main  and  fe- 
male adults.     To  be  distinguished  most  carefully  from  the  preced- 
ing.    A  rare  bird  outside  of  the  mountains.  . 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  at  large. 

W.  V.  Dist. — As  suggested  .above,  this  bird  is  rare  in  West  Vir- 
ginia excepting  in  the  higher  elevations,  where  it  may  be  found  in- 
considerable numbers,  in  the  breeding  season.  The  nasal  yanli  i/nuk 
of  this  species  is  a  common  sound  in  the  black  spruce  forests  in  the 
Allegheny  Mountains. 


1908]  BIRDS.  59- 

Nest — In  hole  in  a  tree.     Breeds  in  West  Virginia. 
Food — Much  the  same  as  in  preceding  species. 

729.     Brown-headed  Nuthatch   (Sitta  pusilla).     A  pair. 

Geog.  Dist.— South  Atlantic  and  G-ulf  States. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — No  positive  records  of  the  occurrence  of  this  species 
in  West  Virginia. 

Nest — In  hole  in  tree  or  stump. 

Food — Insects. 

» 

731.  Tufted  Titmouse  (Parus  bicolor).  One  specimen.  Sexes 
alike.  A  species  that  will  repay  careful  study. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  from  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania southward. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — In  all  the  central,  southern,  and  western  part  of 
this  state,  this  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  species.  Rather  rare  in 
the  mountains. 

Nest — Often  in  deserted  Woodpecker's  holes. 

Food — It  seems  to  me  that  this  is  one  of  our  most  useful  birds, 
though  I  have  not  gone  into  the  study  of  its  food  habits  with  special 
care.  This  birds  feeds  constantly  about  shrubbery,  and  often  comes 
into  our  yards,  orchards,  and  gardens  where  it  works  unceasingly 
in  its  search  for  insects.  My  observations  lead  me  to  believe  that  it 
destroys  great  numbers  of  the  eggs  and  larvae  of  injurious  insects. 
It  would  be  well  worth  the  while  if  some  West  Virginian  would  work 
out  the  food  habits  of  this  bird,  which  is  so  common  in  our  state. 

735.  Chickadee  (Penthestes  atricapillus) .  Male  and  female 
adult. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  north  of  the  Potomac  and 
Ohio  Valleys. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Found  only  in  the  mountains.  A  very  similar 
species,  the  Carolina  Chickadee,  is  abundant  in  the  lower  elevations 
of  the  state.  I  have  found  some  specimens  that  seemed  to  be  inter- 
mediate between  the  two  species. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  stumps  or  trees.  Breeds  in  our  mountains. 
Have  taken  young  only  a  few  day  from  the  nest. 

Food — Eggs  of  plant  lice  make  up  more  than  one-fifth  of  the 
food  of  these  birds  in  the  winter  months.  A  single  bird,  in  one  day, 
has  been  known  to  eat  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  eggs  of 
plant  lice.  Very  useful  in  destroying  other  harmful  insects  anl 


CO  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

their  eggs.     The  Chickadees  ought  to  be  protected  most  carefully, 
and  should  be  encouraged  to  build  about  our  homes. 

748.  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  (Regulus  satrapa).  Two  specimens. 
This  dimunitive  bird  is  well  named.     Compare  with  the  following 
species. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America  Generally. 

W.  Va.  Di'St. — Yery  common  in  the  migration  seasons  and  in  the 
winter  months.  Last  summer  I  took  a  specimen  of  this  bird  on  the 
top  of  Spruce  Knob.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  this  species  was 
breeding  there. 

Nest — Usually  built  high  up  in  coniferous  trees.  Supposed  to 
breed  in  this  state. 

Food — Minute  forest  insects. 

749.  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet    (Regulus  calendula).     One  speci- 
men in  the  collection.     Neither  one  of  the  two  species  of  Kinglets 
is  often  observed  by  the  untrained  student  of  birds.     Strange  that 
such  attractive  birds  as  both  these  are  should  not  be  better  known ! 
The  Ruby-crown  is  even  less  conspicious  than  the  Golden-crown. 

Geog.  Dist. — North  America. 

W.  Ya.  Dist. — Yery  common  in  orchards  and  open  woodlands  in 
the  time  of  spring  and  fall  migrations.  The  best  time  to  become 
acquainted  with  this  little  Kinglet  is  in  the  last  days  of  April 
when  apple  trees  are  in  full  bloom.  Several  are  sure  to  be  foun<l 
about  any  orchard,  and  there  the  exquisite  song  and  the  quaint 
little  scolding  notes  may  be  heard. 

Nest — Builds  its  nest  in  evergreen  trees  of  the  northern  forests. 

Food— Insects,  especially  those  that  are  found  about  young  and 
tender  leaves,  and  blossoms. 

751.  Blue-gray  Gnatcateher  (Polioptila  cacnilca).  Adult  and 
young.  Looks  like  a  small  Mockingbird.  A  very  interesting  bird 
of  the  forests  and  orchards. 

Geog.  Dist. — Middle  and  southern  portions  of  the  eastern  United 
States. 

W.  Ya,  Dist. — I  have  found  this  bird  in  great  numbers  in  almost 
every  section  of  the  state.  Not  found  in  the  mountains.  Being  a 
bird  of  southern  distribution,  one  finds  it  oftenest  in  the  Caroliniaa 
and  Transition  life  zones. 


1908]  BIRDS.  61 


Nest — Kesembles  the  nest  of  a  hummingbird,  though,  of  course, 
it  is  larger.  Like  a  bunch  of  lichens  on  a  limb. 

Focd — Eats  great  quantities  of  insects  about  trees  of  all  sprts 
AVithout  the  help  of  such  birds,  all  our  trees  would  soon  be  de- 
foliated by  the  insects. 

755.  Wood  Thrush   (Hylocichla  musfclina}.         One  specimen. 
Sexes  nearly  alike.     One  of  our  best  songsters. 

Geog.  Dist.— Eastern  United  States. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Very  common.     Rather  rare  in  the  mountains. 
Nest — In  a  sapling  a  few  feet  from  the  ground. 
Food — Eats  many  insects  and  a  little  fruit.     Some  times  eats- 
rose  beetles.     Very  useful  birds. 

756.  "Wilson 's  Thrush  (Hylocichla  fiiscescens).     Two  specimens. 
Of  all  our  songbirds,  I  think  this  is  the  most  musical.     The  song 
of  this  species  is  not  often  heard  outside  of  the  spruce  forests  in 
the  higher  Alleghenies.     One  must  study  these  thrushes  very  care- 
fully in  order  to  distinguish  them  in  life.     I  have  found  it  very  dif- 
ficult to  learn  the  several  thrushes  that  are  to  be  found  within  our 
state. 

Geog.     Dist. — Eastern  United  States,  north  to  Newfoundland. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — To  find  this  bird  in  our  state  one  must  go  to  tin- 
mountains,  though  it  may  be  seen  elsewhere  in  the  spring  and  fall 
migration  periods.  Quite  common  in  the  higher  parts. 

Xest — On  or  near  the  ground.  .One  found  in  the  Spruce 
Mountains  last  summer  (1908).  was  built  on  a  log.  Beautiful  eggs. 

Focd — Forest  insects.     Some  wild  fruit. 

758a.  Olive-backed  Thrush  (Hylociclila  ustulata  swainsonn\ 
Male  and  female. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  sometimes  westward  to  the 
Pacific. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — A  common  migrant.  A  rare  broeder  in  the  moun- 
tains of  this  state. 

Nest — In  bushes  a  few  feet  up.     Speckled  eggs. 

Food — Forest  insects. 

759b.  Hermit  Thrush  (Uj/locicMa  aonalaschkae  paUasii^ .  Two 
spocimens.  Sometimes  called  £wamp  Angel.  Thrush  I  have*  heard 
the  song  but  once.  I  am  ready  to  join  with  others  who  speak  of  it  r.-- 
most  beautiful. 


<G2  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Rather  rare  migrant,  though  I  usually  see  several 
each  season.  Sometimes  they  linger,  in  protected  places  in  the 
woods,  till  near  the  close  of  November,  before  passing  on  southward. 
Preble  reports  this  species  as  having  been  found  in  western  Mary- 
land in  the  summer  months.  It  may  yet  be  found  breeding  in 
some  of  our  higher  mountains. 

Nest — On  the  ground. 

Food — Like  that  of  other  woodland  thrushes. 

761.  American  Robin  (Planesticus  migrat&rius) .  Male  and  fe- 
male. A  very  common  bird  that  needs  no  description. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  North  America,  to  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
including  eastern  Mexico  and  Alaska, 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  throughout  the  state. 

Nest — In  orchard  and  woodland  trees.     Blue  eggs. 

Food — Many  kinds  of  insects.  Some  fruit  both  wild  and  culti- 
vated. It  pays  to  protect  the  Robin,  from  both  an  economic  an«l 
an  esthetic  standpoint. 

766.  Bluebird  (Sialia  sialis).  Male  and  female.  As  in  all 
young  thrushes,  the  young  of  this  species  have  a  speckled  breast. 

Geog.  Dist. — Eastern  United  States  to  the  eastern  base  of  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  north  to  Manitoba,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Ontario. 

W.  Va.  Dist. — Common  in  most  parts  of  the  state.  Sometimes 
remains  over  winter.  Not  often  seen  up  in  the  mountains. 

Nest — In  a  hole  in  stump,  or  old  dead  tree.  Sometimes  in  bird- 
houses. 

Food — "It  is  a  persistent  foe  of  Orthoptera,"  (Forbush)  Grass- 
Tioppers  constitute  nearly  22  per  cent  of  its  food. 


1908]  SCENES.  63 


DESCRIPTION  OF  PICTURES. 


No.     1.     Home  of  S.  W.  Moore— in  Winter— Mason  County,  W.  Va. 

"       2.     Ben  Davis  in  Wilderness  Orchard, 

Allegheny  Orchard  Company,  Berkeley  Co.,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

3.     Six  Year  Old  Apple  Orchard  with  Peach  Trees  as  Fillers. 
S.  W.  Moore,  Mason  County.  West  Virginia. 

"       4.     Hay  Crop  on  Station  Farm.  Morgantown,  West  Virginia. 

"       5.    A  Typical  Shaped  Ben  Davis  Apple  Tree. 

"       6.     Rocky  Orchard — Limestone — Dr.  Border,  Jefferson  Co., 

W.  Va. 

7.  THE  ORIGINAL  GRIMES  GOLDEN  APPLE  TREE, 
THE  FAMOUS  WEST  VIRGINIA  SEEDLING, 
ORIGINATED  ON  THE  FARM  OF  THOMAS 
GRIMES,  BROOKE  COUNTY,  WEST  VIRGINIA. 

"       8.     Undrained  Glades  Showing  Heavy     Growth  of  Ferns, 
Preston  County,  West  Virginia. 

"       9.  •  The  Falls  of  the  Little  Black  Water,  Tucker  County, 
W.  Va. 

"     10.     The  Miller  Peach  Orchard,  Berkeley  County,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

tl     11.     Tobacco  Growing  on  Drained  Glade  Land,  Preston  Co., 
W.  Va. 

"     12.     One  Way  to  Keep  the  Boy  on  the  Farm.  Upshur  County, 
W.  Va. 

"     13.     Apple  Picking,  Brown  Brothers,  Hancock  County,  W.  Va. 

"     14.     Poultry  on  Station  Farm,  Morgautown,  West  Virginia. 

"     15.     Hay  Field.  Station  Farm,  Morgantown,  West  Virginia. 

"     16.     Trilliums  and  Old  Log,  French  Creek,  Upshur  County, 
W.  Va. 

"     17.     Melon  Field  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  West  Virginia, 

"     18.     A  Loaded  York  Imperial,  Buckhart's  Orchard,  Berkeley 
Co.,  W.  Va, 

"     19.     Drained  Glades,  Preston  County,  West  Virginia. 

"     20.     Geese  in  West  Virginia. 


C4  WEST  VIRGINIA  [W.  VA. 


No.    21.     Buckwheat  Fieldz  Near  Reedsville,  Preston  County.  "W. 
Va. 

"     22.     Vineyard,  F.  E.  Brooks,  Upshur  County,  West  Virginia, 
. "     23.     Apple  Orchard  Showing  Cover  Crop  of  Cow  Peas, 

J.  N.  Thatcher,  Berkeley  County,  West  Virginia. 

"     24.     Birds  Eye  View  of  H.  C.  Brenneman's  Orchard,  Han- 
cock Co.,  W.  Va. 

' '     25.     Preparing  for  Harvest,  Jefferson  County,  West  Virginia. 

"     26.     Dairy  Herd,  Experiment  Farm,  Morgantown,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

"     27.     Onions  on  Reclaimed  Glade  Land,  Preston  County,  West 
Va. 

"     28.     Bye  in  Shock,  Experiment  Station,  Morgantown,  West 
Va. 

"     29.     Undrained  Glades   Showing   Ferns   and  Wild   Flowers, 
Preston  Co. 

11     30.     Cabbage  on  Reclaimed  Glade  Lands,  Preston  Co.,  West 
Virginia. 

"     31.     Looking  Up  Cheat  River,  Camp  Eden,  Near  Morgahtowu, 
W.  Va. 

"     32.     Hopkins  South  Down  Sheep,  Wood  County,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

"     33.     Glade  Land   Showing  Farm   Scene,  Preston   Co.,  West 
Virginia. 

"     34.     A  Flood  Scene  on  the  Ohio  River,  Mason  County,  West 
Virginia. 

"     35.     Haying   on   the   Experiment   Farm,   Morgantown,   West 
Virginia, 

".     36.     Trilliums  in  the  Woods  of  Upshur  County,  West  Virginia. 

"     37.     Green  Mountain  Grape,  Vineyard  of  F.  E.  Brooks,  Upshur 
Co.,  W.  Va. 

"     38.     Buckwheat  Plats,  Experiment  Farm,  Morgantown,  West 
Virginia. 

"     39.     Looking   Down    Cheat   River   from    Camp   Eden,     Near 
Morgantown,  W.  Va, 

"     40.     S.  W.  Moore's  Cove  Orchard  Showing  Peach  and  Apple 
6  years  Old.  Mason  County,  West  Virginia. 

'.'     41.     Thorn  Trees  Pruned  by  Cattle,   Top  of  the  Allegheny 
Mts.,   Grant   Co.  W.  Va. 

"     42.     Oaks  Near  MorgantoAvn,  West  Virginia. 


1908]  SCENES.  65 

No.    43.     Old   Wind-fall   Spruce   Forest,   "Webster   County,   Wesi 
Virginia. 

"     44.     Thrasher's  and  Williams'  Galloways,  Greenbrier  Co.,  W. 
Vs. 

11     45.     Looking  Up  the  Monongahela  River  from  West  Virginia 
University,  'Morgantown,  W.  Va. 

"     46.     Scene  on  Cheat  River,  Preston  Co.,  West  Virginia. 

"     47.     Cheat  River  and  Mountains  Near  Morgantown,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

' '     48.     Dr.  Border 's  York  Imperial  Orchard,  Jefferson  Co.,W.  Va. 

"     49.     S.  W.  Moore's  Cove  Orchard  When  Fillers  Were  Being 
Cut  Out,  Mason  County,  West  Virginia. 

"      50.     Scene  on  the  Greenbrier  River,  West  Virginia. 

"     51.     Miller  Peach  Orchard,  North  Mountain  in  the  Distance, 
Berkeley  County,  West  Virginia. 

"     52.     "Where  Time  Has  Slumbered",  Nicholas  County,  West 
Virginia. 

"     53.     Williams'  and  Thrasher's  Herd  of  Galloways,  Greenbrier 
Co. 

"     54.     Home  of  S.  W.  Moore — Summer — Mason  County.,  West 
Virginia. 

"     55.     Grimes  Golden  Tree,   of  Alex  Clohan  Along  Pike  near 
Martinsburg,  Berkeley  Co.,  W.  Va, 

"     56.     Distant  View  of  Greenland  Gap,  Grant  County,  West  Vir- 
ginia. 

"     93.     Male  and  Female  Baltimore  Oriole. 

94.     A  pair  of  Ruffed  Grouse,  commonly  called  "Pheasant''. 

"     95.     Two  pairs  of  Bob-whites. 

96.  Pair  of  Chickadees:  pair  of  Orchard  Orioles. 

97.  Pair    of    Downy    Woodpeckers;    pair  of  Hairy  Wood- 
peckers ;  pair  of  Flickers ;  one  Red-bellied  Woodpecker. 

"     98.     Pair  of  Turtle  Doves. 

99.     Pair   Carolina   Wrens;    pair   Black-billed  Cuckoos;    two 

Screech  owls  (showing  red  and  gray  phase). 
"     100.     Pair  of  Meadowlarks. 


FOURTEEN  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

Biblogy  Lilbirairy 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


LD  21-100m-2,'55 
(B139s22)476 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


